Palermo vs Napoli preview - Mazzarri staying positive

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri remains upbeat about the season despite last weekend's costly home defeat to Udinese.

The 2-1 setback ended Napoli's four-match winning streak and saw them drop six points behind league leaders AC Milan with five games remaining.

Napoli are still in second place as they travel to Sicily for the game against Palermo.

Mazzarri said: "The team is already looking ahead to the next game.

"We have five important games and we want to maintain our position in the standings.

"We are enjoying an extraordinary campaign and the defeat against Udinese does not change that.

"We must remain with a high level of concentration.

"We must continue to grow."

Saturday's match at the Renzo Barbera stadium will have a special significance for Napoli star Edinson Cavani.

The second leading scorer in Serie A with 25 goals, Cavani returns to Palermo for the first time since leaving the club last summer.

The Uruguay international spent three seasons at Palermo.

"I'm sure Cavani will get a warm welcome by our fans," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said. "He is having an excellent campaign but I hope he will not find the back of the net against us.

"I expect a beautiful game between two teams that are motivated to win and play good football."

Palermo go into the encounter inspired by their midweek 2-2 draw at AC Milan in the first leg of their semi-final of the Coppa Italia.

The result followed their 3-2 triumph at Roma last weekend.

Palermo are eighth in Serie A, six points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Napoli will have to overcome the absence of Ezequiel Lavezzi and captain Paolo Cannavaro, both suspended.

Rossi will have all his players available with the exception of defender Dorin Goian, who serves a one-match ban.