Inter vs Napoli Tips: Nerazzurri to bolster title hopes
The Serie A title race looks set for a thrilling conclusion and Sunday’s showdown between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro could have a huge say on the final placings.
Leaders Inter and fifth-placed Roma are separated by only six points, with defending champions Napoli sandwiched in between the pair in third and just four points behind the Nerazzurri.
Inter have reeled off six straight league victories to resume control at the summit, but Napoli have lost only one of their last seven top-flight fixtures and know that masterminding victory in Milan would put them firmly back in title contention.
Napoli would have been disappointed to have been held to a 2-2 draw at home to Verona on Wednesday, especially as Inter eased to a 2-0 success at Parma and they will need to raise their game in Milan.
Team news
Inter remain without defenders Matteo Darmian, Denzel Dumfries and Tomas Palacios while back-up goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro is also missing.
Midfielders Davide Frattesi and Andy Diouf have missed Inter’s last two wins over Bologna and Parma and are injury doubts.
For Napoli, David Neres is a high-profile injury concern after picking up an ankle injury during his side’s 2-0 victory against Lazio.
Pasquala Mazzocchi is suspended and the visitors have a busy treatment room with Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Sam Beukema and Frank Anguissa still sidelined.
Tip 1 – Inter to win @ 3/4
Since losing 1-0 to derby rivals AC Milan at the end of November, Inter have chalked up six straight league wins to get their heads in front in the Serie A title race and they could be in seventh heaven after a visit from Napoli.
Recent wins over Atalanta and Bologna read especially well for Cristian Chivu’s side and they can avenge their 3-1 defeat in Naples from earlier in the season.
Inter have won seven of their nine league games, with four of those victories being by at least a three-goal margin, and Napoli haven’t always travelled with conviction.
The Blues have lost seven of their last 11 away games in all competitions and that includes a 2-1 loss to Milan at the San Siro in September.
Napoli are winless on their last six trips to Inter’s fortress, suffering four defeats, and the wait for victory in Milan may continue with the league leaders in rampant form.
Tip 2 – Hakan Calhanoglu anytime goalscorer @ 19/5
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are Inter’s chief two scoring threats, having grabbed 16 of their 40 league goals between them.
However, midfield maverick Hakan Calhanoglu has six goals and two assists from 15 Serie A appearances this season and is another vital component to their success.
The Turkey international scored Inter’s consolation goal from the penalty spot in defeat away at Napoli earlier in the season, while he had five shots in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at Parma to suggest he is keen to bolster his league tally.
Tip 3 – Nicolo Barella to be shown a card @ 9/4
Nicolo Barella was given a rest for the midweek win at Parma, but given the stakes for this one he looks set to regain his place in midfield at the expense of Petar Sucic.
Winning the midfield battle will be key and Barella is a master in the art of retrieving possession, but that can sometimes come at a cost.
The Italy international relishes a physical battle, but has picked up seven bookings in his last 22 appearances for club and country and has committed 19 fouls in Serie A this season.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
