In a clash of last season’s top two in Serie A, Napoli and Inter Milan are once again amongst the early frontrunners in the race for the Scudetto.
Match News and Current Form
Napoli were the eventual victors in last season’s two-horse-race for the Serie A crown, and their title defence has got off to a respectable start (W5, L2). Although domestic form has been largely positive, they come into this game on the back of being humbled 6-2 by PSV in midweek UEFA Champions League (UCL) action. Returning to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona affords Antonio Conte’s men the perfect chance to put things right considering they’ve won all three home league games this term, part of a wider unbeaten run in such matches (W11, D3). But with seven of those wins coming by a one-goal margin, it wouldn’t surprise to see another tight affair here.
At the other end of the positivity spectrum ahead of this huge clash, Inter journey to Naples on the back of a thumping 4-0 win away to Royale Union SG on Tuesday night in the UCL. Few sides in world football can claim to be in better form than Inter at present, with that midweek win serving as their seventh in succession in all competitions, five of which came with an accompanying clean sheet. Hitting the road hasn’t bothered them much either, which is just as well given this is their third away game in the space of a week, and after beating Roma 1-0 last weekend, Inter have now won six of their last seven away matches in all competitions (L1).
Head-to-Head History
Inter have had the upper hand in recent times, losing just one of their last 13 meetings with Napoli (W6, D6), albeit the last three H2Hs have all ended 1-1.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Napoli have scored five of their six home league goals this season after half-time.
Napoli have accumulated a pre-round joint-league high 39 shots on target this season.
Inter have scored exactly once in nine of the last 11 H2Hs.
None of Inter’s seven league games this term stood level at half-time (HT: W5, L2).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Scott McTominay got both of Napoli’s midweek goals, with his second in that game the only one of his last six club strikes to arrive after the break. Inter’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu has netted before half-time in the first Serie A H2H of the season in three of the last four campaigns.
Napoli’s striking duo Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Højlund were absent in midweek, but the latter could return here. Inter will be missing a striker of their own in the form of Marcus Thuram.
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Betting Analysis
Given this fixture’s penchant for finishing by a certain scoreline, backing a 1-1 draw seems a nice long-odds punt.
Author: Chris Wilson