Napoli vs AC Milan: Serie A Preview and Prediction
Napoli’s Diego Armando Maradona Stadium will be the stage for one of Serie A’s most eagerly anticipated clashes this weekend: Napoli vs AC Milan. That’s a must-win for Napoli if they want to keep their title hopes alive—and AC Milan will be right there, fighting for a top-four finish.
Team News & Tactics
Napoli
Antonio Conte’s Napoli will be minus Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa due to injury, but the rest of the squad is available and ready to roll. Conte is likely to stick with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, built around defensive solidity and counterattacks that can catch opponents off guard.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Gilmour, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Lukaku, Raspadori.
Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori will lead the charge up front, with Stanislav Lobotka anchoring the midfield. Matteo Politano and Leonardo Spinazzola will provide width and defensive cover as wing-backs. That’s a potent combination that should give AC Milan’s defense some headaches.
AC Milan
Sergio Conceicao’s AC Milan are missing Emerson Royal due to injury and Yunus Musah is suspended. The Portuguese manager will probably stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which should allow his team to be more creative in midfield and use the pace of his wingers to full effect.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Bondo, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham.
Tammy Abraham starts as the lone striker, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic providing the width and speed on the flanks. Tijjani Reijnders will play a more advanced role in midfield, looking to create those scoring opportunities that can turn the game.
Key Stats
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Napoli have won 10 of their 14 home games this season but are winless in five of their last seven Serie A matches.
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AC Milan have scored in 93% of their away games this season but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches.
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Napoli won the reverse fixture earlier this season but haven’t beaten AC Milan at home since 2018.
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Over 2 goals were scored in 72% of Napoli’s games and 79% of AC Milan’s games this season.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
Lukaku’s been a bit up-and-down recently, but he remains crucial for Napoli’s title push. His physicality and finishing ability could be just what Napoli need to exploit AC Milan’s defensive weaknesses. This match gives him the chance to deliver in a high-stakes encounter where every point counts.
Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Leao’s pace and creativity make him a constant threat on the left wing. Against a Napoli defense that has shown cracks recently, Leao could be pivotal in creating chances or scoring himself.
Napoli vs AC Milan Prediction
Napoli’s home advantage and desperation to stay in the title race give them an edge. But AC Milan’s recent resurgence means they won’t go down without a fight. Expect a tight, back-and-forth game with both teams finding the net.
Napoli 2-1 AC Milan
Napoli vs AC Milan Live Stream
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