Serie A preview: Cavani a danger for struggling Inter

Inter Milan must find a way to keep Napoli striker Edinson Cavani quiet if they are to stop their fall down the Serie A table.

Cavani has scored eight goals in his past five games in all competitions including two in Napoli’s 5-1 thrashing of Pescara last week, while the Uruguayan has hit the back of the net 17 times in as many matches this season.

Napoli have scored 14 goals in those five games as they continue their free-flowing style of football under head coach Walter Mazzarri.

The Neapolitans are undefeated in their past seven fixtures, including their past five Serie A games, while Inter have just two victories in the league in the same period.

Inter’s problem has been their defence as they have conceded seven goals in five matches.

A fortnight ago, Inter dropped below Napoli on the Italian league table into third position and if they lose again on Sunday the Milan-based club could be overtaken by Fiorentina.

If Inter and Napoli draw at the San Siro, Serie A leaders Juventus should extend their margin at the top of the table as they will travel to Sicily to take on Palermo.

Juventus head into Sunday’s game having topped their UEFA Champions League group after a 1-0 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, although the reigning Serie A champions did lose away to AC Milan last week.

But 16th-placed Palermo should provide few problems with Juventus despite all three of the Sicilian club’s wins this season having come on their home turf.

In other Sunday matches, Pescara will welcome Genoa to the Stadio Adriatico in a big game for the two relegation-threatened clubs, Cagliari will take on Chievo, Catania will head to Siena and Torino are up against AC Milan.

Fiorentina, who have stormed up the table over the past two months, face a tough trip to play Roma on Saturday, while Atalanta host Parma in the first game of the weekend.

In Monday’s games, Bologna will face Lazio and Sampdoria are up against Udinese.