Napoli vs Palermo preview - Pandev: Fans can make the difference

Napoli striker Goran Pandev has urged the fans to throw their full support behind the team as they look to beat Palermo.

The Naples outfit are in third place and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot with three games left to play.

Walter Mazzarri's men are level on 55 points with Udinese, Inter Milan and Lazio.

"I hope that in the end it will us to finish third," Pandev said.

"It is a strange but exciting campaign.

"The race for Champions League football is wide open and it is down to us to hold on to third place.

"We know it will not be easy but we are extremely focused and eager to face Palermo.

"Our fans have to be close to us because I think they can make the difference.

"The important thing is that we all battle together so that Napoli plays next season in the Champions League."

Pandev, who came on as a substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Roma, is set to partner Edinson Cavani in Napoli's attack.

Rivals Palermo travel to the San Paolo stadium looking for only their second win on the road this season.

The Sicilian have suffered a drop in form in recent weeks and have won just one of their last 10 games.

Last weekend's 1-1 draw against Catania left Palermo in 14th spot, seven points clear of the drop zone.

"We are not at our best and on Tuesday we will without a number of players due to injuries," Palermo coach Bortolo Mutti said.

"However, I expect a good performance from those that will play."

The visitors will be without captain Fabrizio Miccoli, who is out with a muscular injury.

Miccoli is the team's top scorer with 13 goals.

Moreover, defenders Federico Balzaretti and Andrea Mantovani as well as midfielder Francesco Della Rocca are all sidelined through injury.

Napoli midfielder Blerim Dzemaili must serve a one-match ban.