Match Preview:

Deadlocked at 19 points after seven matches, and with an identical record of 6 wins and a draw, today’s clash between Juventus and Napoli is being considered an early Scudetto decider.

Atop of Serie A via goal difference, the hosts put their 46 game league unbeaten streak on the line, as they welcome Napoli to the Juventus Arena. The visitors have already been dubbed the ‘anti-Juve’ and are being tipped as the side to be the most likeliest of challengers to Juventus and the Scudetto.

No Buffon for Juventus, as he continues to nurse a thigh injury, which kept him out of Italy’s midweek qualifier against Denmark. Napoli are fortunate to be healthy up front, as Cavani and Pandev will pair up for the visitors.

Can Napoli end Juventus’s unbeaten run? Or the Old Lady’s dominance in Serie A continue?

Tune into theScore Live Blog to find out!

1 min: Giovinco has an attempt on goal with his right foot from the left side of the box, but its saved by De Sanctis. Marchisio did well to find the diminutive striker.

5 mins: Cavani is caught offside, as he tries to time his run in an attempt to latch onto a through ball from Zuniga, but the referee blows his whistle to call the Uruguayan offside.

9 mins: Chiellini is fouled by Pandev, and the home side win a free kick on the left wing inside the Napoli half. Chiellini then has a shot following a pass from Asamoah, but the left footed effort is close, but he misses the target, only just.

Delay in the match now, as the medics come on the pitch to take a look. The delay is over as the game continues...

18 mins: The delay lasts only a couple of minutes, as play soon continues. Bonucci waves to enter the fray again, and does so, but he's limping.

21 mins: Juventus on the attack now, but Cannavaro does well to track back and concede the corner from the left. Pirlo delivers, and the ball bounces around the area, but Napoli clear, only momentarily

25 mins: Napoli take the free kick quickly in their own half, following a foul from Bonucci. They push the ball up the pitch down the left, as Inler is fouled by Vidal just on the edge of the area. The Chilean clips the ankle, right on the edge. Lucky not to concede a penalty.

Cavani takes and its a thumping effort. Chance of the match so far as he lashes it to the far post and it hits the bar with the curling effort that bounces out. Napoli continue to push now.

30 mins: Juventus caution - yellow card - Vidal for a bad foul on Zuniga.

35 mins: Giovinco tries a chip ball over the top for Quagliarella, but he's called offside. Nice effort from the Italian tandem.

37 mins: Napoli on the ball now, as they start from the back. De Sanctis now launches it into the Juventus half. A 50/50 challenge between Pirlo and Cavani goes the Juventus way, much to the chagrin of The Matador.

40 mins: Maggio takes on Asamoah down the right wing, he gets inside the area, but only briefly before he's dispossessed by the Ghanian. Pandev is then whistled for a foul on Asamoah, as Napoli continued to push forward. All for nothing though, as the referee gives possession back to the hosts.

41 mins: Corner Juventus. Lichtsteiner with a cross attempt from the right, but Zuniga gets in the way to give the hosts a corner. Pirlo takes, but nothing doing, as Napoli win a free kick in their own half, as Giovinco fouls Cavani.

43 mins: Lichtsteiner is fouled by Zuniga in the Juventus half. The Swiss winger had his back to the ball and the Napoli midfielder barrelled right into him.

45 mins: Referee calls for two minutes of time added on at the end of the first half from the Juventus Arena.

Referee blows for half-time. Score after 45 mins: Juventus 0 Napoli 0.

@Vinny My apologies for the misunderstanding, Vinny. Bendtner is one option, but in a game like this I think that Matri offers more experience over the rarely-used Dane.

Thoughts on the first half?