Prediction: Inter Milan vs Napoli

Verdict: Inter Milan win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Sunday night, Inter Milan will welcome Napoli to the San Siro.

Iner Milan

Starting with the hosts, extending on their Champions League romp on Wednesday night as they collected a 1-0 win against English heavyweights Arsenal, Inter Milan find themselves in the midst of a real purple patch. Making real history last season as they got their hands on a 25th domestic crown, Simone Inzaghi’s men are once again pencilled in as a leading title contender this time around. Last seen in Serie A action cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp away at Empoli, the Nerazzurri will now have their sights firmly set on finding a route back to the top of the table. Heading into October’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Torino, Inter Milan have now collected 22 points from their previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Once again missing out against Arsenal on Wednesday night and still dealing with a recent muscle injury, Inter Milan will once again be without Brazilian midfielder Carlos Augusto here. However, aside from the former Monza star, Inzaghi’s camp have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh concerns.

Handed a Champions League rest in midweek, skipper Nicolo Barella should be handed a full recall at the heart of Inter’s midfield. Likewise, despite notching just a single strike since returning from October’s international break, Marcus Thuram could replace Mehdi Taremi in attack.

Napoli

As for the visitors, while Napoli might have continued on a sensational rise following Antonio Conte’s arrival over the summer, the Azzurri are desperately seeking a much-needed boost. Putting in what was a season-worst performance in Naples last weekend as they slumped to a shock 3-0 drumming at home against Atalanta, the former Chelsea boss will know the importance of his squad claiming an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite missing out on the chance to make a heavyweight statement last time out, Sunday’s guests are still leading the chase at the top of the Serie A table. Signing off October with a stunning 2-0 win away at AC Milan, there is no doubt that Conte will be desperate for a repeat performance this weekend.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent thigh issue and not featuring since returning from October’s international break, Slovakian international Stanislav Lobotka is not expected to feature here. Making a cameo appearance off the bench against Atalanta last weekend, former Roma defender Leonardo Spainazzola should be handed a full recall.

Notching four Serie A strikes since completing a permanent move from Chelsea over the summer, ex-Inter Milan Romelu Lukaku will return to the San Suro here. Continuing to build quite the reputation in Naples, former Manchester United star Scott McTominay will start at the heart of Conte’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Inter Milan and Napoli last met back on March 17th, the Italian giants played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• The Nerazzurri have collected 13 points from their previous five Serie A meetings at the San Siro against Napoli.
• Inter Milan have collected 22 points from their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
• Despite their 3-0 drumming last weekend, Napoli have recorded a clean sheet in all of their last four matchups on the road.
• Nine of the previous 10 meetings against Inter Milan and Napoli have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Suffering what was an infamous 3-0 defeat at home against Atalanta last weekend, Napoli will be more than aware that they have another heavyweight challenge on their hands here. Watching Inter Milan clinch a stellar 1-0 victory against Premier League giants Arsenal on Wednesday night, the reigning Italian champions are enjoying a real flurry. Now sat just a single point adrift of dethroning the Azzurri and climbing to the top of the Serie A table, Inter will also be excited by a dominant record against their historic rivals on home soil. Collecting 13 points from just Napoli’s last five Serie A trips to the San Siro, we are backing a home victory in Milan.

Verdict: Inter Milan win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster