Napoli and AC Milan will become familiar foes over the coming weeks, with the first of three meetings between the two sides in April set to take place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.
The two teams have also been drawn against each other in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but before they turn their attention to that European battle over two legs, they will first lock horns in Serie A.
After beginning the weekend 19 points clear at the top of the standings and 23 ahead of defending champions Milan, Napoli are on course to land their first Scudetto in 33 years and face a Rossoneri side who have endured a difficult run of form since the turn of the year.
The visitors are in a battle to secure a top-four finish for next season and they may find the going tough when they make the trip south to Naples, with Napoli priced at 15/2 to win 2-0 in the Correct Score market.
Napoli vs AC Milan Betting Tips
- Napoli to win to nil @ 15/8
- #PickYourPunt – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score anytime and Sandro Tonali to be carded @ 10/3
Team news
Napoli have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the contest, as leading scorer Victor Osimhen – who has netted 21 times in Serie A this season – has been ruled out with the adductor injury he picked up during the international break with Nigeria.
Giovanni Simeone is expected to replace Osimhen in the starting XI, with extra emphasis on him and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to provide Napoli’s goal threat.
Milan will also have to make do without a key forward heading into this game, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic having picked up a thigh injury while away with Sweden. Defender Pierre Kalulu will also miss out due to a calf issue.
Napoli to win to nil @ 15/8
Unsurprisingly given their commanding position at the top of the standings, Napoli boast the best home record in Serie A heading into the weekend, winning 11 and losing just one of their 13 matches at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
That sole home defeat did come against Lazio just a month ago, but since then, Napoli have won all three of their matches across all competitions without conceding a goal.
In contrast, Milan’s form has spiralled during 2023, as they have won just five of their 16 games since the turn of the year, with none of those victories coming across their last four games.
Goals have also been a problem for Stefano Pioli’s side of late, particularly away from home, as they have netted just three goals across their last six games on the road – a concerning record that makes backing Napoli to win to nil all the more appealing.
#PickYourPunt – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score anytime and Sandro Tonali to be carded @ 10/3
The enforced absence of Osimhen will place greater emphasis on Kvaratskhelia to provide Napoli’s goal threat and there is no reason to suggest the Georgia international won’t deliver, as he has netted 12 goals in Serie A this season, including in each of his last two appearances in the Italian top flight.
Backing the 22-year-old to get on the scoresheet on Sunday as part of Betfred’s #PickYourPunt could prove shrewd, as could including Milan midfielder Tonali to be carded.
The Italy international has picked up more yellow cards in Serie A this season than any other Milan player, as he collected his seventh of the campaign during his side’s 3-1 defeat at Udinese before the international break.
With Milan likely to surrender plenty of the ball during the contest – Napoli have averaged the most possession in Serie A this season (61.5%) – Tonali may have to get through more work than normal in the middle of the park, which increases the likelihood of the midfielder being carded.
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