Napoli vs Inter Tips: Scudetto rivals may be tough to split
The international break proved to be an untimely one for Napoli, who have returned from the hiatus with a 1-0 loss at Torino and a 6-2 routing by PSV in the Champions League.
The Serie A champions are not in crisis mode just yet as they come into the weekend sitting just one point behind leaders AC Milan but they will need an improved performance if they are to get back to winning ways immediately as it is in-form Inter for them up next.
The Nerazzurri were pipped to the Scudetto by Napoli last term but have made an excellent start towards getting their crown back and are certainly in the better form of the pair, winning seven straight games in all competitions.
That means Christian Chivu’s side are favourites for Saturday’s showdown but the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is always a tough place to go and Napoli, keen to bounce back, will make life difficult for their visitors.
Team news
Amir Rrahmani, Stanislav Lobotka, Nikita Contini and Romelu Lukaku remain sidelined for Napoli but top scorer Rasmus Hojlund could return after missing the defeats in Turin and Eindhoven.
Raffaele Di Gennaro and Matteo Darmian are certain absentees but Marcus Thuram is nearing a return and will be assessed.
Tip 1 – Draw @ 23/10
Inter extended their winning run to seven with Tuesday’s 4-0 rout of Union Saint-Gilloise in Europe and confidence will be rife in the camp ahead of the trip to Naples.
That will hold them in good stead and a defeat is unlikely given Napoli’s two-game losing streak but Chivu’s men may still have to settle for a point at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Gli Azzurri do most of their best work.
Antonio Conte’s side are unbeaten in 14 home games, winning each of their last five, and the potential return of top-scorer Hojlund should increase their chances of stopping the rot.
The hosts would love a win but Inter are in such strong form it is hard to envisage them getting one, so you could side with this clash of Italian giants finishing level for the fourth head-to-head in a row.
Tip 2 – Henrikh Mkhitaryan to be booked @ 18/5
Reigning Serie A MVP Scott McTominay was the only Napoli player to play well against PSV, grabbing both of his side’s goals in the embarrassing 6-2 defeat, and Inter will have to keep a close eye on the former Manchester United man if they are to get a positive result in Naples.
McTominay has been deployed on the left wing this term but still drifts into the middle, meaning those in Inter’s engine room will have their hands full with the Scot, creative genius Kevin De Bruyne and marauding Cameroonian Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
At least one of Inter’s midfielders may be booked and Henrikh Mkhitaryan appeals at a big price, having already picked up two yellow cards in six Serie A games this term.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
