Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Prediction: Napoli vs Inter Milan

Juan Pablo Aravena in Free Soccer Predictions, Serie A 20 Oct 2017

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Verdict: Over 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: bet365

Napoli and Inter Milan will play a thrilling match this Saturday in the ninth week of action in the Italian Serie A. Napoli sit at the top of the standings with 24 points and Inter are one spot behind them, two points back. The match starts at 19:45 BST. Luca Banti will be the referee.

Napoli

Napoli are coming off a 1-2 defeat against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. However, they have been impressive at the domestic level since they sit at the top of the Serie A standings with 24 points after eight matches. No one has been able to beat them thus far, and the numbers backed them up. Napoli have the best attack in the entire league with 26 goals scored – averaging 3,25 per contest – and have conceded just five times as well. They have scored at least three goals in their last four home matches as well. And most of their strength comes thanks to their attacking line of Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon, and Lorenzo Insigne. The trio has combined for 14 goals at the league level. And they will need to be at their best if Napoli want to have a shot at maintaining their perfect league run. Inter will certainly be a tough challenge for Napoli, but Maurizio Sarri’s men have proven time and time again they can compete toe-to-toe against any team in the world.

Team News

Napoli could have a huge absence on the attack ahead of this game, as Lorenzo Insigne is doubtful due to a muscle injury. He will need to undergo a late-fitness test to determine his availability.

Arkadiusz Milik has already been ruled out due to a knee problem.

Inter Milan

Few teams in Europe have seen such as a remarkable turnaround as the one Inter Milan have experienced this season. After a couple of seasons where they failed to reach the UEFA Champions League, the Nerozzurri side has been genuinely impressive in the current campaign. It is not only because they are one of the two undefeated teams in the league. Inter sit in second place and could grab the top spot if they secure the three points at San Paolo Stadium. It is going to be quite hard to do so, but they have enough weapons to potentially pull an upset. Luciano Spalletti’s men have the top defence in the league with only five goals conceded in eight matches, and they also feature the top scorer in the competition in Mauro Icardi. The Argentinian star netted a hat-trick against AC Milan last week, and sits third on the scoring chart with nine goals in eight contests. He will need to produce another display like that if Inter want to have a shot at beating one of the most in-form sides in Europe during the current term.

Team News

Inter Milan have two confirmed absentees ahead of this game.

Both Marcelo Brozovic (muscle strain) and Zinho Vanheusden (knee) won’t play due to injury. Although neither was expected to start, so Spalletti will have the chance to field his Best XI for this pivotal contest.

Key Factors to Consider

  • Inter Milan and Napoli are the only undefeated sides in the Serie A.
  • Napoli are on a 13-game winning run in Serie A. They have only lost at home once in their last 41 home league games.
  • Mauro Icardi has been on top form at the moment. The Argentina international has nine goals during the current Serie A campaign. He recently scored a hat-trick against AC Milan one week ago.
  • Both sides have only conceded 5 goals in this season’s campaign. Napoli have the best attack in the league as well, as they average an impressive 3.25 goals per game.
  • Napoli scored at least one goal in their last 20 matches, and Inter in their last 11 matches.

Conclusion

There is no question this is going to be an open game. Both Napoli and Inter Milan are attacking-minded team. And both sides can score with absolute ease.

Therefore, there is a high chance we can see over 2,5 goals in this contest.

Verdict: Over 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: bet365

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Juan Pablo Aravena


A freelance writer and sports analyst with almost five years of experience in the industry before joining SoccerNews, Juan Pablo Aravena is based in Chile and currently contributes to several publications and websites including SoccerNews, 12up, and Sports From The Basement, while also working as a fantasy beat writer for RotoWire, as a database editor for EA Sports, and as a football analyst for SmartOdds and InsideFutbol. His areas of focus are Serie A, Bundesliga, Premier League, LaLiga, and Ligue 1, but he has also written about MLS and South American football in the past.

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