Those who stand still go backwards. Both Napoli and Milan, for example, can’t afford to do that. Yes, despite having different objectives – the Azzurri want the Scudetto, the Rossoneri want to qualify for a European competition – both have a lot at stake in the most eagerly awaited match of the day. Antonio Conte’s team missed a huge opportunity before the break, not getting past a 0-0 draw in Venice. The draw in the Lagoon, the fifth in the last seven rounds, could cost them dearly as Inter, who won in Bergamo against the other contender, Atalanta, have moved up to +3 on the Neapolitans.
Napoli have the calendar on their side – the last significant obstacle, after AC Milan, is Bologna, to be faced in Emilia – but to be able to threaten the reigning champions they must rediscover the competitive ferocity that characterized them until a few weeks ago. In their last few matches, Di Lorenzo and his teammates have seemed a little short of oxygen, having had to deal with the absence of some excellent players and a winter transfer market that has not compensated for the departure of a champion like Kvaratskhelia. The fact is that since their victory against Juventus at the end of January, the Azzurri have only beaten Fiorentina. AC Milan, on the other hand, have just won two matches in a row, very hard fought against Lecce (2-3) and Como (2-1), both of whom they beat after coming from behind.
However, these were fundamental for the Diavolo, who, driven by the force of desperation, managed to stay on the European train. Sergio Conceiçao’s team is ninth but fourth place isn’t that far away (Bologna has 6 points more, a distance that can still be bridged with 9 games to play). It will undoubtedly take a real feat to finish in the top four: in the last 20 years only one team, Sampdoria, has managed to finish in the Champions League zone after collecting a maximum of 47 points in the standings with nine rounds to go.
Napoli-Milan: the latest news on the lineups
Initially Conte could reintroduce the 3-5-2 seen recently, although during the game it is likely that the 4-3-3 will be used again thanks to the fact that Neres is available again. The Brazilian has recovered but is unlikely to start from the 1st minute. Politano will play on the right, on the left instead it is a duel between Spinazzola and Olivera. Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani and Buongiorno will form the defensive trio, while in attack we have the Lukaku-Raspadori duo again.
On the other side, Conceiçao hopes to recover Gimenez, who has returned with aches and pains from his commitments with the national team: if the Mexican doesn’t make it, Abraham is ready. As a counter to Como Reijnders, he will position himself in the attacking midfield between Pulisic and Leao, while in the midfield next to Fofana Bondo is a candidate for a starting jersey: Loftus-Cheek is out with appendicitis. In defense, the ballot is between Gabbia and Pavlovic.
Odds comparison
Napoli’s victory is quoted at 1.90 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Goal” sign is quoted at 1.72 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.70 on Snai.
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The prediction
For some years now, the “Maradona” has been a sort of “happy oasis” for Milan, unbeaten for 7 matches in various competitions at the Neapolitan stadium. Will they manage it again this time? Napoli are favorites but we expect an open and even eventful match, since a draw – considering the classification needs of both teams – would serve little purpose. The Rossoneri have also scored in every Over 2.5 game in their last five matches, and have found the back of the net every time. Since mid-January, the only time Napoli have kept a clean sheet was two weeks ago against Venezia.
The probable line-ups for Napoli-Milan
NAPOLI (3-5-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Lukaku.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Bondo, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1