Title-chasers Napoli face stiff test at Cagliari

Napoli's hopes of maintaining their Serie A title challenge face a stiff test Monday when Walter Mazzarri's side travel to in-form Cagliari with doubts over several key players.

The Naples side sit fourth in the table on 27 points, the same as third-placed Fiorentina, one behind Inter Milan and five behind leaders Juventus.

But for the trip to Sardinia, Napoli will be without top scorer Edinson Cavani, who will sit out a one-game suspension, while attacking midfielder Goran Pandev could miss out with a sore ankle. There are also doubts about the fitness of midfielder Lorenzo Insigne.

Adding to Napoli's pre-match nerves will be the recent form of Cagliari, a team with a fraction of the budget of giants like Juve and Inter but who held the latter to a 2-2 draw at the San Siro last week.

Sardinian striker Marco Sau scored both goals in Milan and is fully fit for the match at the Is Arenas.
Cagliari currently sit 11th on 16 points.

Also on Monday, Parma, in ninth, host Inter Milan and the programme will conclude Tuesday when Lazio, fifth on 23 points, host Udinese.