Palermo vs Napoli preview - Mutti wary of Napoli threat

Bortolo Mutti faces a difficult test in his first home game in charge of Palermo when his team takes on Napoli.

Mutti replaced the sacked Devis Mangia last month and made his coaching debut with the Sicilian outfit in a 2-2 draw at Novara.

That result left Palermo ninth in the standings, three points behind six-placed Napoli.

Mutti admits the winter break has given him time to get to know his players since his appointment on December 20.

He said: "The past few days have been very useful. It's been good to get to know the players better.

"The players have shown a fantastic attitude in training."

Mutti hopes his side can start the year on the right foot but knows Napoli will pose a huge challenge.

"I would rather face a different opponent to Napoli," he said.

"Napoli are a very good side. They have great players but they have never fared well at Palermo and we hope that continues."

Palermo have won six games and lost just once at home this season, while Napoli's last victory at La Favorita in Serie A dates back to 1969.

The Naples outfit, though, ended a successful 2011 with a 6-1 triumph over Genoa.

Walter Mazzarri's men, who qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League last month for the first time, have not performed so well on the road.

Their last win away from Naples was on October 1 and forward Marek Hamsik knows his team has room for improvement this year.

"We need to do better away from home," Hamsik said. "We need to reduce the gap to the top three this month and I'm confident we can do that."

Napoli lie 10 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.