Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 31/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
Napoli and Inter Milan are set to do battle in what’s certain to prove a very important match for the title race in the Serie A on Saturday at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, formerly known as San Paolo.
The table situation
It’s very exciting at the top of the Serie A table at the moment. Inter lead the way with 53 points, with Napoli directly behind on 52. It’s a great opportunity for the home side to break to the top, which will obviously happen if they win this match, though it’s important to bear in mind that the Nerazzurri have a game in hand on their direct competitors in this race, as well as that Milan in third place have the same tally as Napoli.
Juventus are currently fourth with 45, and it still seems the only race they’re involved is the one to keep that spot, with Atalanta just two points behind with a game in hand.
Napoli
Led by Luciano Spalletti, Napoli have done extremely well this season, and their recent form is great when it comes to the league. The only defeat they suffered in the last six matches was a 2-5 one at home against Fiorentina in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, they drew 1-1 away to Juventus, and recorded four victories; 1-0 at home against Sampdoria, 0-2 away to Bologna, 4-1 at home over Salernitana, and most recently, 0-2 away to Venezia.
Victor Osimhen opened the scoring just before the hour mark, and Andrea Petagna set the final score deep in stoppage time, after Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi earned a red card.
It’s worth mentioning that the Partenopei have an impressive defensive record, topping the league in that area with just 16 goals conceded all season.
The last time Napoli were crowned champions in Italy was back in the days when the legendary Diego Armando Maradona led them to the crown in 1986-87 and 1989-90, and that remain their only titles to this day. They were close to the top in recent years, but never really in the race. Now they are, and they’ll certainly be relishing the idea, the dream of lifting the trophy once more after 32 years. Much will, therefore depend on this match.
Team News
Kalidou Koulibaly won the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and then traveled with his national team from Cameroon to his homeland, where they were welcomed as heroes. It therefore remains to be seen if he is ready to play on Saturday. However, midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa, who represented the Ivory Coast at the tournament, is now available.
Like Koulibaly, wingers Hirving Lozano and Adam Ounas are also doubts, as is defender Axel Tuanzebe. Osimhen is set to lead the attacking line, with Lorenzo Insigne and Piotr Zielinski in support.
Inter Milan
Unlike Napoli, Inter only have to look about nine months into the past to remember winning their last Serie A titles, being the defending champions after the 2020-21 triumph. It was Antonio Conte who led them to the trophy, but he’s been replaced by Simone Inzaghi since. Nonetheless, the Nerazzurri are obviously doing very well in their efforts to retain the crown.
Inter’s recent form has been good too, apart from the heavy disappointment of the Milan Derby in the previous round. Inzaghi’s team had taken the lead through a cool hit from Ivan Perisic and seemed on course for victory, but Olivier Giroud struck twice late on to bring joy to the AC Milan fans instead. Consolation came a few days later, as Inter beat AS Roma 2-0 in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals, with Edin Dzeko and Alexis Sanchez on target.
Before that, Inter beat Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana by 2-1, played a goalless draw away to Atalanta, beat Empoli in the Coppa round of 16 at home by 3-2, and beat Venezia 2-1 at home.
Team News
Forward Joaquin Correa and wing-back Robin Gosens are still unavailable through injury, while defender Alessandro Bastoni misses out after picking up a late red card in the Derby. His place in the back line is likely to be filled by Danilo D’Ambrosio.
Having scored against Roma, Alexis Sanchez will be hoping to start upfront in the place of either Dzeko or Lautaro Martinez.
Conclusion
The battle between these two teams is set to be fierce more than pretty. There shouldn’t be too many defensive issues for either side. Therefore, not many goals are to be expected, but it feels Inter just might snatch this one and pull away at the top of the table.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 31/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
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