Serie a preview: napoli v inter

Mazzarri spent four years at Napoli before moving to San Siro in May and will make his return with four points and one league place separating the two sides.  Napoli have the advantage at

present but have suffered inconsistent domestic form of late.  While Sunday's hosts come into the game on the back of a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League, they

missed out on progression from the group stages and have won only twice in their last five top-flight outings.  You may like After suffering back-to-back defeats against Juventus and Parma,

Rafael Benitez's men overcame Lazio 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico before dropping points against Udinese in a 3-3 draw.  That mixed form has seen last season's runners-up slip five

points behind second-place Roma and eight off leaders Juventus, but defender Raul Albiol feels Sunday's game can provide a platform for Napoli to push on. "We know that on Sunday

we face an important game," he told _Radio Kiss Kiss_. "It will be a high-standard match. This year Napoli changed the formation, welcomed some new players and we are led by a new

coach.   The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. "We must work hard and continue to grow. We know we still need time to settle our new squad

and there is always something that should be improved." Inter, on the other hand, have been in fine form over recent weeks, avoiding defeat in their last eight Serie A matches, although

they have struggled to convert their impressive performances into victories, drawing their last three games.  Rodrigo Palacio and Fredy Guarin have been in fine form, each scoring twice in

their last two league matches, and Inter are likely to need both at their best in order to arrest their poor record at Napoli.  Inter have only won once at the Stadio San Paolo in their last

nine attempts, requiring penalties to secure victory in a Coppa Italia clash two years ago.  Neither side can move up the table even with a three-point haul, although Inter could slip a

place if they drop points and Fiorentina beat Bologna at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Guarin is expected to shake off a knock suffered in training on Wednesday but Mauro Icardi (hernia),

Diego Milito and Walter Samuel (both thigh) are likely to miss out for Mazzarri's side. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina and captain Marek Hamsik could return to bolster Benitez's squad after

missing the win over Arsenal in midweek.