Chievo vs Pescara preview - Stroppa on the brink

Giovanni Stroppa escapes the wrath of disillusioned Pescara fans while he oversees his ailing team at Chievo, but anything less than three points earned could end his reign as head coach.

The 44-year-old, and his Delfini players, narrowly avoided an open confrontation with a 50-strong group of irate supporters following Sunday's disappointing goalless draw with Atalanta at the Stadio Adriatico.

Club president Daniele Sebastiani may have come out in support of Stroppa this week, but a run of three games without a win, or a goal, certainly indicates worrying times for the beleaguered coach.

Their opposition sit three places beneath the Delfini in the Serie A standings, but Stroppa remains wary of the Flying Donkeys' siege mentality.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "They are a formidable team, who have consolidated their place in Serie A over the years because they have a provincial attitude.

"That's what has saved them year after year.

"Now (Sergio) Pellissier has recovered, and he is one of the best attackers around, so we need to stay alert."

Brazilian striker Jonathas is back from injury ahead of schedule to join his team-mates in Verona, but defenders Christian Terlizzi and Alessandro Crescenzi are still sidelined.

Despite Pescara's lack of goals in recent weeks, ex-Arezzo striker Elvis Abbruscato has caused problems from the bench and could receive the nod ahead of Ante Vukusic in a 4-3-2-1 formation.

Marek Hamsik's solitary strike for Napoli treated Eugenio Corini to a first defeat since he replaced Domenico Di Carlo at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

The return of the talismanic Pellissier is offset slightly by the suspension of defender Kamil Vacek, though, as the Gialloblu strive for a third home victory of the season.

Corini was delighted to see his star striker play 30 minutes at the San Paolo, and hopes the 33-year-old can be the man to damage the Delfini.

"He came back after 10 days of intense training," Corini told Gazzetta.it. "It was the right moment to use him despite the illness he's been through.

"I'm counting on Sergio."

Gennaro Sardo, Alberto Paloschi and Bostjan Cesar will play no part against the Abbruzzese outfit, however.