A victory would put Napoli top of the table tonight, but they face a Catania side that has won three on the bounce.
The Partenopei have the opportunity to spend a few hours as joint leaders ahead of Juventus’ trip to Chievo.
A victory would put Napoli top of the table tonight, but they face a Catania side that has won three on the bounce.
The Partenopei have the opportunity to spend a few hours as joint leaders ahead of Juventus’ trip to Chievo.
Christian Maggio is still out of action after fracturing a bone in his hand, while Hugo Campagnaro and Miguel Angel Britos are suspended.
This means big changes in defence, as Gianluca Grava makes his first start of the season, another sign the nightmare of the betting scandal is behind him.
Giandomenico Mesto and Juan Camilo Zuniga take the wide roles, while Marek Hamsik supports Goran Pandev and Edinson Cavani.
Paolo Cannavaro makes his 259th appearance in a Napoli jersey, matching the total achieved by Diego Armando Maradona.
Catania are on a run of three consecutive Serie A wins, something this club had only ever achieved twice before in its history.
A fourth victory would be a new record, but it’ll be tough for them at the San Paolo.
Gonzalo Bergessio and Francesco Lodi return from their bans, though Pablo Alvarez and Lucas Castro are suspended instead.
Nicola Legrottaglie misses out due to flu symptoms, so makes way for Alexis Rolin.
Napoli: De Sanctis; Grava, Cannavaro, Gamberini; Mesto, Behrami, Dzemaili, Hamsik, Zuniga; Pandev, Cavani
Napoli bench: Rosati, Rolando, Armero, Donadel, Inler, El Kaddouri, Insigne, Calaiò
Catania: Andujar; Bellusci, Spolli, Rolin, Capuano; Izco, Lodi, Biagianti; Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez
Catania bench: Frison, Terracciano, Marchese, Potenza, Augustyn, Salifu, Almiron, Ricchiuti, Doukara, Keko