Prediction: Milan vs Napoli

Verdict: Napoli to Win & Both Teams to Score

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: bet365

Milan play host to Napoli in one of the highlight Serie A matches this weekend. Rossoneri are hoping to close the gap behind the three leading sides while Partenopei are looking to maintain their pace in the title chase.

Milan

Gennaro Gattuso’s men will be in high spirits after defeating Genoa 2-0 at Marassi last time out. Their confidence could get an extra boost with Serie A striking sensation Krzysztof Piatek arriving to replace Gonzalo Higuain who moved to Chelsea. The experienced forward reunited with Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge while Milan found a proper replacement in Piatek who scored 13 goals for Genoa in the first part of the season. The Polish international could get his Milan debut this weekend but is likely to start from the bench.

Milan head into the top-four clash against Napoli looking to extend their positive stretch of form and record first win in last eight attempts against Partenopei. Rossoneri have endured an inconsistent season, to say the least, but appear to have found their footing of late. With only one loss in last five matches – a 1-0 Super Cup defeat to Juventus – Gattuso’s men will be in great spirits ahead of the Saturday’s clash. The hosts are growing in confidence and the arrival of Piatek is bound to provide an extra boost for Milan. The improving squad situation is only expected to further boost Milan chances ahead of the Saturday’s match.

Team News

Alessio Romagnoli, Davide Calabria and Franck Kessie are all returning from suspension.

Giacomo Bonaventura, Lucas Biglia and Mattia Caldara remain the long-term absentees while Cristian Zapata joins them on the injury list, however.

Napoli

Carlo Ancelotti is set for an emotional moment as he prepares to make a San Siro return. The experienced tactician spent most of his playing days with Milan while he also won eight trophies with Rossoneri as a coach.

Napoli travel to Milan carrying a gapping 13-point lead ahead of their Saturday’s rivals. Partenopei have won eight of their last ten matches in all competitions, while only losing three in last 20. Having crashed out of the Champions League, Napoli will be keen to focus all of their attention on getting the most out of the Serie A title race. Juventus might be nine points clear at the top of the table but Partenopei are not expected to give up the fight. Napoli won three of their last five trips to Milan and will most definitely be hoping to get all three points at San Siro. The visitors will be enough motivated to go out and try, knowing that they are coming off from a 2-1 win over Lazio. Despite the fact Napoli were without some of their key men for the Lazio clash, Ancelotti fielded a team that proved Paretenopei boast great squad depth. The situation is now much better and Napoli will much stronger at San Siro.

Team News

Kalidou Koulibaly and Lorenzo Insigne are returning from suspensions but Marek Hamsik remains sidelined through a thigh problem.

Vlad Chiriuches is out with a knee injury while Allan is expected to be in contention for the place in the team.

Key Factors to Consider

• Rossoneri lost three of their last 10 home matches in all competitions
• Napoli lost two of their last three games on the road
• Milan last defeated Napoli in December 2014
• There has been under 2.5 goals scored in six of both sides’ last 7 matches
• None of the last 5 matches between these two teams ended in a draw

Conclusion

Milan head into the Napoli clash feeling positive after the most recent stretch of form and with Piatek arriving to boost their options upfield. Napoli, on their own part, will feel experienced and mentally strong enough to deal with Gattuso’s men in order to maintain their pace behind Juventus.

Verdict: Napoli to Win & Both Teams to Score

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: bet365