Serie A preview: Juve, Napoli aim to get back on track

Napoli and Juventus will both look to recover from big Thursday defeats when they meet in Serie A action on Sunday.

Third-placed Napoli were smashed 3-1 by Inter Milan, but fifth-placed Juventus were embarrassed 4-1 at home by Parma, meaning both sides will be keen for form reversals.

AC Milan face a tricky encounter against eighth side Udinese at the San Siro, and the league leaders will be hoping to keep second-placed Lazio, who face Lecce on Sunday, at arm’s length on top of the table.

Inter will be hoping to maintain new manager Leonardo’s perfect record with a win at Catania.

The European champions beat Napoli in the Brazilian’s first match in charge following the removal of Rafa Benitez, and they will aim to make up ground lost in the league standings, as they sit 13 points behind city rivals AC Milan.

Fiorentina and Brescia go head to head in a true relegation battle at Stadio Artemio Franchi, with the home side just five points above the drop zone, while Brescia require all three points if they are to escape the bottom three.

Bottom side Bari host Bologna on the back of a 1-0 away win over the 19th-placed Lecce, and the cellar dwellers can move out of last place with another positive result on Sunday.

Chievo will welcome Palermo to the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Sunday, with the 12th-placed hosts needing a win, as they have taken all three points in only one of their past 10 league affairs.

Parma host Cagliari, Cesena will do battle with Genoa, and Sampdoria takes on AS Roma in the remaining Sunday fixtures.