Prediction: Milan vs Napoli

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmakers: 888sport

AC Milan play host to Napoli for the second time in a matter of days as two of Italy’s most prominent clubs lock horns in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.

AC Milan

A point from a goalless stalemate against Napoli is less than what AC Milan have hoped for this weekend. Rossoneri had a couple of interesting chances in the first half through Hakan Calhanoglu who has yet to score a Serie A goal this season.

In the end, Gennaro Gattuso can be satisfied with the point, especially with AS Roma failing to win their match as well. Giallorossi played a pulsating 3-3 draw against Atalanta and remain a point behind AC Milan in fifth. Rossoneri are now shifting their focus to Coppa Italia and Gattuso is widely expected to make notable changes to his line-up. AC Milan beat Sampdoria earlier in January to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Napoli. All eyes will be on Krzysztof Piatek who is expected to be given a starting berth for the match but not alongside Patrick Cutrone, however. Former Genoa striker was introduced in the last 20 minutes against Napoli when he replaced Cutrone and Gattuso has already indicated that it is a bit too early for both strikers to play together up front and it would mean Milan could lose too much ground in the midfield.

Team News

Piatek looks set to start alongside Calhanoglu and this could be the only notable change Gattuso will make for the upcoming Cup clash against Napoli.

Napoli

Carlo Ancelotti will not have been particularly happy with how his team started the weekend’s match at Milan. The Partenopei were too soft in the opening stages but ultimately failed to materialize their second-half dominance. In the end, Napoli finished the game a man down after Ruiz got sent off in the closing stages of the match.

A bit too sluggish in front of goal and lost in transition on several occasions, Napoli will need to improve their performance significantly if they are to move into semifinals of the Cup competition. Ancelotti’s men eased past Sassuolo 2-0 in the previous stage and will definitely be looking to go as far as they can and possibly lift the trophy. Whoever wins on Tuesday will meet with the winner of another Italian classic between Lazio and Inter. Napoli still have their Serie A title run to consider, however, despite the fact Juventus are huge 11 points ahead. This is why Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to make a number of changes to his line-up.

Team News

Meret is likely to replace Ospina in goal while Hysaj and Maksimovic should be given a chance ahead of Albiol and Malcuit.

Allan is set to return into the starting fold, while Diawara could also be given a run-in from the off.

Key Factors to Consider

• Milan lost only 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions
• Rossoneri failed to beat Napoli in last 4 attempts at home
• Napoli last lost to Milan at Giuseppe Meaza in 2014
• Partenopei lost 3 of their last 10 away matches in all competitions
• Ancelotti’s men, however, are unbeaten in their last 4 games

Conclusion

Milan and Napoli go head to head in the second encounter in just four days. With a place in the Coppa Italia semifinals at stake, both teams are likely to go full throttle ahead despite the fact several chances to their respective line-ups are widely expected.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmakers: 888sport