Italian Football 
/ Michael Lintorn / 28 November 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Edinson Cavani scored a hat-trick in his last home game against Juventus
"Napoli have shown throughout the campaign that they are a team for the big occasions and should avoid the disastrous scenario of allowing the unbeaten Bianconeri to pull 12 points clear of them."
Despite their dismal recent domestic form, Michael Lintorn thinks that Napoli are a massive threat to Juventus' unbeaten run...
Napoli v Juventus, Tuesday 19:45 BST, Betfair Live Video, Match odds: Napoli [2.6], Juventus [3.05], The Draw [3.35]
Walter Mazzarri maintains that it is the media rather than him expecting a scudetto challenge from Napoli. However honest that statement is, it will be very difficult for them to mount one if they lose Tuesday's game in hand with leaders Juventus.
The joy of a Champions League win over Manchester City was swiftly replaced by the increasingly familiar feeling of domestic disappointment at Atalanta, where they made four changes to the side and had to salvage a point in injury time.
Yet the Partenopei have shown throughout the campaign that they are a team for the big occasions and should avoid the disastrous scenario of allowing the unbeaten Bianconeri to pull 12 points clear of them, instead perhaps closing the gap to six.
The hosts have won just four of their first 11 Serie A fixtures, but three of those came against the clubs that joined them in the top four last season, with their 2-0 victory over Udinese last month ending their undefeated start.
And as they welcome bottom-of-the-table Lecce to the San Paolo on Saturday, Napoli will surely field their strongest possible XI against Juventus, meaning recalls for tireless right wing back Christian Maggio and unsung hero of the attack Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Juventus share their opponents' appetite for the glamorous encounters and have also seen off both Milan giants, claiming another huge result at the weekend away to Lazio. They weren't at their best in a 1-0 triumph though, and lost 3-0 in Naples in 2010-11.
Over/under 2.5 goals
Alessandro Matri has been a revelation since joining the Old Lady in January, but his team-mates spurned several opportunities in Rome and such wastefulness will prove costly against Napoli, who have kept three clean sheets in four at home.
Four of Antonio Conte's men's first five away matches have featured two goals or fewer, with them netting one or fewer in four instances, so under 2.5 goals has to be fancied at [1.76].
Best Bet: Napoli to win @ [2.6]
Other Recommended Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ [1.76]
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