Napoli vs Inter Milan
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Friday, 2 December 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples).
Napoli facing Inter Milan might not be the glamorous fixture it used to be in earlier seasons, but it still counts for both sides as they face a struggle to turn their seasons around and finish as high as they can.
Napoli and Inter sit 7th and 8th respectively in the Serie A table and three points would see the Partenopei move one step closer to the top five and for the Nerazzurri, three points would be a huge boost in their efforts for European qualification.
Looking at the six times the two teams have previously played each other, Napoli has won two, Inter has won two and the scoreline has ended as a draw on two occasions, there isn't much to choose from.
But Pioli's Inter can be positive with the fact that those two victories came very recently this year in the Serie A and Coppa Italia and therefore they have a slight psychological advantage going into Saturday's game.
Napoli will hope to hinder Inter's attacking threat and impose themselves on the match
For Napoli, it will be vital to prevent Inter's creative attackers to get a foothold on the game and create any chances, the front four of Antonio Candreva, Ever Banega, Ivan Perisic and Inter captain Mauro Icardi present a considerable challenge for any defense, let alone Napoli's and therefore Raul Albiol and co. will have to be on full alert.
Icardi leads the scoring charts of the Serie A and is a favourite for the Capocanoniere this season with 12 goals already and the Argentinian hotshot will want to make the Partenopei his next target. The Inter captain has influenced the team with not just goals but assists as well, four of them so far this term. These numbers prove that he is a threat to Napolis' defence and will be a major threat if not contained.
The trio of Candreva, Banega and Perisic will look to work at it defensively to match Napoli's pacy attackers in the form of Jose Callejon, Lorenzo Insigne and Manolo Gabbiadini. Callejon and Insigne have been in fine form this season. The pace and direct nature of the trio will be essential if they are to break down an Inter defence for which clean sheets have been hard to come by recently.
Captain Marek Hamsik as ever has been contributing with goals and assists and his tireless performances for the Partenopei this season and will hope that he can lead his teammates to victory against the Nerazzurri.
Inter will look to be solid at the back and support Icardi
Recent games has seen an increase in the amount of goals that Inter concede and Stefano Pioli will be hoping that his side can stay tight at the back against the dangerous Napoli attackers. The Nerazzurri have workhorses all over the pitch and two solid central defensive midfielders in Marcelo Brozovic and Geoffrey Kondogbia who will play a vital part in aiding their defence keep out the Partenopei and help goalkeeper Samir Handanovic keep a clean sheet in this game.
Captain Icardi recently spoke after the 4-2 victory over Fiorentina about how the team needs to learn to control matches and not give goals away at the back. He also added how he doesn't know what's "gone wrong" with the club this season and that "individually", they have the best players in the league, but they need to learn how to play and work "as a team".
Predicted line-ups
Inter have no significant injuries to worry about for this game and should be able to cope with the absences of Gary Medel, Rodrigo Palacio and Davide Santon with their current options and should play with the same line-up that went up against Fiorentina.
Napoli have no injury concerns going into the game, Arkadiusz Milik is still out with his long-term injury until early February.
Inter Milan predicted XI: Handanovic, D'Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Miranda, Ansaldi, Brozovic, Kondogbia, Candreva, Banega, Perisic,Icardi.
Napoli predicted XI: Reina, Hysaj, Raul Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik, Insigne, Gabbiadini, Callejon
Napoli vs Inter Milan: Head-to-head statistics
Napoli have won 16, drawn three, and lost just one out of their past 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
The Partenopei have only lost two out of their last 11 Serie A games against Inter.
Inter’s last win at the Stadio San Paolo was back during the 1997/1998 season (2-0).
However, the Nerazzurri have only won twice in their past 11 meetings with Napoli (four draws, five losses).
Inter have a record of W3-D6-L11 in their past 20 away games against teams ranked above them in the table.
Napoli have conceded in seven out of their past eight games.
The Partenopei have lost just one out of their last 26 home Serie A games.
The Nerazzurri have seen over 2.5 goals in seven out of their last eight matches.
Napoli vs Inter Milan: Prediction
Inter have scored at least two goals in their past three Serie A games. However, six out of their last eight games have seen both teams scoring goal, whilst seven of those saw over three goals between the two sides. Meanwhile, Napoli have averaged two goals per game at the Stadio San Paolo, but have kept just one clean sheet in their past eight games.
Both are high-scoring sides, but have struggled to keep a clean sheet. Expect plenty of goals here at both ends. Inter come into this game having won their past match, but they have a lousy record at the Stadio San Paolo. Still, they may be able to do enough to nick a point off the Partenopei.
Napoli vs Inter Milan: Betting tips
Both teams to score – YES at 4/6 (1.67)
Over 2.5 goals at 4/6 (1.67)
Double chance – Inter to WIN or DRAW at 11/10 (2.10).
