Napoli vs. AC Milan: Preview and TV schedule

Napoli have had a pretty miserable last few matches; being held to draws against relegation strugglers Bologna and Chievo Verona before losing to Atalanta and then AS Roma in the Coppa Italia. The upshot is that they're only three points clear of Fiorentina in the final Champions League spot, and are now definitely out of the title race.

AC Milan haven't fared much better, and were fortunate to pick up a point to Torino in their last league game. Their two victories before that -- against Cagliari and Hellas Verona -- were both far from convincing. As of yet, Clarence Seedorf hasn't overseen a rossoneri revolution, and Milan are down in 10th place heading into the round.

For this game, the partenopei will be without defensive trio Juan Zuñiga, Giandomenico Mesto and Anthony Réveillère, though their January reinforcements mean they have enough cover to get by. Algerian international left-back Faouzi Ghoulam should make his first league start.

For Milan, Stephan El Shaarawy and Bryan Cristante are both unavailable, and the potential absence of Kaká could mean Adel Taarabt is handed his debut from the first whistle.

Out: Stephan El Shaarawy, Bryan Cristante (injured). In doubt: Cristián Zapata, Valter Birsa, Kaká.

Napoli: Pepe Reina; Faouzi Ghoulam, Raúl Albiol, Federico Fernández, Christian Maggio; Jorginho, Gökhan Inler; Dries Mertens, Marek Hamšík; Jose Callejón; Gonzalo Higuaín.

AC Milan: Christian Abbiati; Urby Emanuelson, Philippe Mexès, Adil Rami, Mattia De Sciglio; Nigel De Jong, Riccardo Montolivo; Adel Taarabt, Robinho, Keisuke Honda; Mario Balotelli.