Serie A leaders Napoli host AC Milan next week in the hope of consolidating their position at the top of the standings, with the visitors looking to finally find some consistency having spent a fortune in the transfer window over the summer. Napoli put their unbeaten record in Serie A on the line as they take on AC Milan at the Stadio San Paolo, with Maurizio Sarri’s men looking for the three points that would ensure that they stay clear of rivals Juventus in the standings.
Italian Serie A – Stadio San Paolo, Naples – Friday 18th November – 19:45 UK Time
|
Draw Best Odd of: 4 at Betfair |
|
Napoli
AC MilanMatch Preview
However, Milan have already demonstrated that while they may not yet have found top form on a consistent basis this season, they are a team that can beat anyone on their day. With a close encounter expected in Naples, the tactical battle between Sarri and Milan boss Vincenzo Montella could well have a significant bearing on the outcome. For those interested in placing a bet on this match, be sure to check out our top tip below. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with the home side.
Napoli Team News & Form
32 goals in just 12 Serie A matches have helped Napoli to sit just ahead of reigning champions Juventus at the top of the standings, with their defensive record also among the best in the competition. The attacking trio of Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne have quickly found their feat this season, with all having found the back of the net with ease. Elsewhere, Captain Marek Hamsik will once again look to provide the creativity for the home side in midfield, while powerful defender Kalidou Koulibaly will be hoping to dominate the Milan attackers. Napoli will be looking to make up for their recent goalless draw at Chievo.
AC Milan Team News & Form
The visitors come into this fixture off the back of a comfortable away victory at Sassuolo before the international break, however five Serie A defeats already this season means that Montella’s men find themselves 13 points behind their opponents heading into their clash. The arrival of Leonardo Bonucci has done little to solve their defensive issues, with Milan having conceded 16 goals in Serie A, double that of Napoli. However, with the likes of Nikola Kalinic and Suso in the final third, Milan are a team always in with a chance of finding the back of the net themselves.
Head to Head
Napoli won both meetings between the two clubs in Serie A last season, including a 4-2 home success back in August of last year. In fact, you have to go back to 2014 in order to find a top-flight victory for Milan against Napoli.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Given their standing in the table and their status as the home team, it comes as little surprise that it is Napoli who are the firm favourites for victory with the majority of bookmakers. The home side can be backed at odds of 2/5 with PaddyPower, while the visiting team are available at 6 with Ladbrokes.
Top Betting Tip
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on there being over 2.5 goals during the match, which can be backed at odds of 4/9 at Ladbrokes.