He who hesitates is lost. Both Napoli and Milan, for example, cannot afford to do so. Yes, despite having different objectives—the Azzurri are aiming for the Scudetto, while the Rossoneri are looking to qualify for European competition—both have a lot at stake in the most anticipated match of the day. Antonio Conte’s team wasted a huge opportunity before the break, failing to go beyond a 0-0 draw in Venice. The draw in the Lagoon, the fifth in the last seven games, could prove costly given that Inter, who won away in Bergamo against the other contender, Atalanta, are now three points ahead of the Neapolitans.
Napoli has the schedule on its side—the last significant hurdle, after Milan, is Bologna, whom they face in Emilia—but to threaten the reigning champions, they must rediscover the competitive ferocity that characterized them until a few weeks ago. In their last few games, Di Lorenzo and his teammates have looked a little out of breath, having had to cope with some notable absences and a winter transfer window that failed to compensate for the departure of a champion like Kvaratskhelia. The fact is that since their victory over Juventus at the end of January, the Azzurri have only beaten Fiorentina. Milan, on the other hand, are coming off two hard-fought wins in a row, against Lecce (2-3) and Como (2-1), both of which they came from behind to win.
However, these were crucial wins for the Rossoneri, driven by the strength of desperation, to stay in the race for Europe. Sergio Conceiçao’s team is ninth, but fourth place is not that far away (Bologna are six points ahead, a gap that can still be closed with nine 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 games to go.
Napoli-Milan: the latest news on the line-ups
Conte could initially stick with the 3-5-2 formation seen in recent games, although the 4-3-3 is likely to return during the match thanks to the return of Neres. The Brazilian is fit again but is unlikely to start. Politano will play on the right, while Spinazzola and Olivera will battle it out on the left. Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, and Buongiorno will form the defensive trio, with Lukaku and Raspadori back up front.
On the other side, Conceiçao hopes to have Gimenez back after he returned injured from international duty. If the Mexican is unavailable, Abraham is ready to step in. As against Como, Reijnders will play in the hole between Pulisic and Leao, while Bondo is in contention for a starting spot in midfield alongside Fofana: Loftus-Cheek is out with appendicitis. In defense, Gabbia and Pavlovic are vying for a spot.
Odds comparison
Napoli’s victory is priced at 1.90 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. The “Goal” bet is priced 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 in seven games in various competitions at the Neapolitan stadium. Will they succeed again this time? Napoli are favourites, but we expect an open and eventful match, given that a draw – considering the needs of both teams in the standings – would be of little use. The Rossoneri have scored at least two goals in their last five games, finding the net every time. Since mid-January, however, the only time Napoli have kept a clean sheet was two weeks ago against Venezia.
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