Napoli will attempt to snap out of a mini-slump when they host Inter Milan in an Italian Serie A fixture on Saturday. The champions remain solid at home and face the Nerazzurri, who are one of the most in-form teams in the league at the moment.
Napoli's campaign has taken a downward turn in recent weeks as they head into this clash off the back of two straight defeats. Antonio Conte's men were beaten 1-0 at Torino in their previous Serie A fixture before falling 6-2 at PSV in the UEFA Champions League.
The defeat to Torino means Napoli have now dropped to third in the table, although they sit just one point off the pace. The Neapolitans will be keen to get things back on track and have won all four of their home matches in all competitions this season.
Inter Milan are one of the form sides in Serie A at the moment and have won their last seven matches in all competitions. That run has seen them climb to second in the Serie A table, just one point behind local rivals AC Milan.
The Nerazzurri have also impressed on their travels, winning their last four away matches in all competitions. Cristian Chivu’s men claimed a 1-0 victory at Roma in their previous Serie A fixture before easing to a 4-0 triumph at Union St Gilloise in the Champions League.
How the bookies view it: Slight edge for Inter
Inter Milan have a slight edge among the bookies and are priced at 13/10 by BOYLE Sports to claim the win. A victory for Napoli is valued at 15/8 while a draw is set at odds of 21/10.
Head to head: Closely fought encounter
Inter Milan have a 15-14 edge, with 14 draws from the last 43 matches against Inter Milan. Both teams played out 1-1 draws in their two meetings last season.
Players to watch: Martinez on fire
Lautaro Martinez has been the man in form for Inter Milan, with five goals in his last five appearances. The striker will be the one to watch on Saturday (Lautaro Martinez anytime goalscorer – valued at 2/1 with BOYLE Sports).
Scott McTominay showed his importance to Napoli by netting a brace at PSV on his return from injury. The midfielder always has an eye for goal and could be worth keeping an eye on (Scott McTominay anytime goalscorer – priced at 3/1 with BOYLE Sports).
Probable line-ups:
Napoli remain without strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Romelu Lukaku due to injury, while midfielder Stanislav Lobotka is also sidelined. Lorenzo Lucca is likely to lead the line, with McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield, while Steve Beukema is expected to continue at the back.
Inter Milan also have injuries of their own, with Marcus Thuram and Matteo Darmian both sidelined. Francesco Esposito should partner Martinez in attack, while Frederico Dimarco could also earn a start after coming off the bench at PSV.
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Neres, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay, Lucca.
Inter Milan: Sommer, Akanji, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Di Marco, Esposito, Martinez.
Anything else catch the eye?
Napoli and Inter Milan have both scored in their last three meetings (BTTS YES – offered at 8/11 by BOYLE Sports). There have been goals in each half in three of the last five meetings (Goal in each half – available at odds of 20/23).
Five of Napoli’s last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 20/21.
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