Saturday evening promises to be one of the most exciting matches in recent history in Serie A. Juventus have dominated the Italian top-flight for the last four years with general ease, but are finding life more difficult this time around.
The Old Lady endured one of their worst starts to a league campaign for decades but have won 14 straight matches to get their season back on track. They will have the chance to go top of the table for the first time this season if they can beat a Napoli side who have also won nine straight league games coming into this blockbuster fixture. But who dominates a combined XI from those free from injury and suspension and to have featured in at least 12 league games?
There is an even split on the pitch, with Napoli only edging the stakes with Pepe Reina’s performances enough to edge of Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon (6.53 rating). The form of new signing Paulo Dybala has been integral behind Juventus frightening form, but he fails to make the side at the expense of Gonzalo Higuain, who is arguably the best striker in Europe at the moment.
The former Real Madrid striker heads the race for the Golden Shoe (award for most goals in Europe) having scored a goal a game up until this point (24 goals in 24 league matches). The 28-year-old has already scored six more league goals than he managed last season and with 14 games remaining he should easily surpass his tally of 27 goals for Madrid in 2009/10.
There is also a spot for Napoli creator Lorenzo Insigne, who last week became the first player in Serie A to reach double figures for goals and assists this season. Napoli are two points ahead of Juventus coming into Saturday’s fixture and a win would surely make them favourites to win their first league title in 26 years.
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