Napoli vs AC Milan
It’s fairly accurate to say that Milan, the 2022 Serie A champions, have seen much better days. They may still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League next term but, as it stands, the reality is far from the standards expected of the Rossoneri.
Whatever happens this season though, Milan will always have Saudi Arabia because, in January, with new manager Sergio Conceicao barely through the door, they travelled to the Middle East to compete in the Super Coppa (the Italian Super Cup) where they were given little chance of succeeding and ended up lifting the silverware.
It could yet end up being a really successful campaign as they are about to meet city rivals Inter in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. But the fact they lie ninth in the Italian top-flight is something that highlights how far they have fallen below the expected standards.
The immediate question now is can they turn on the style this Sunday and inflict a potentially crucial title blow on second placed Napoli?
Talking Points
They possibly can given Napoli are in a run of form which marks their poorest of the campaign to date with few Serie A 2025 highlights to boast about. Antonio Conte’s men have won just one of their last seven league matches – one more than in their first 22 games this term – and need to improve quickly if they are to keep in touch with leaders Inter Milan, who are currently three points clear at the summit.
By contrast, Milan are unbeaten in their last six visits to the Stadio Maradona across all competitions.
The hosts recently welcomed back Alessandro Florenzi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to action but will definitely be without the injured Emerson Royal, on his way back soon, and the suspended Yunus Musah this weekend, while Santiago Gimenez is an injury doubt after playing for Mexico.
For Napoli, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s recent layoff has not helped their title hopes but, after appearing from the bench in their goalless draw in Venice a fortnight ago, he should take over from Billy Gilmour and feature alongside Stanislav Lobotka in central midfield. There is a doubt about the fitness of David Neres (thigh).
A late equaliser against Inter a month ago caught the SBOTOP eye but, realistically, only victory will suffice this weekend if they are to seriously challenge for the top prize in the final throes of the season.
With Milan possibly having one eye on their cup semi-final against the same opponents a few days later, this may be an ideal time for the hosts to end their recent misery against the red half from the San Siro.
History
The corresponding fixture last term ended all square as Olivier Giroud’s first half double was cancelled out by Matteo Politano and a Giacomo Raspadori free-kick.
Milan won the return thanks to a solitary Theo Hernandez strike, but Napoli won in the San Siro earlier this season with two first half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, now at PSG, in a 2-0 success.
Historically, Milan have enjoyed 62 victories in their matches with 48 Napoli successes and 51 draws, so it’s pretty close overall. Two seasons ago they met four times.
In the Champions League quarter-finals, Milan progressed 2-1 on aggregate following up a 1-1 draw in Naples – when Victor Osimhen and Giroud traded goals – with a 1-0 win in the San Siro (Ismaël Bennacer the decisive marksman on that occasion).
Milan also romped to a 4-0 win in Naples that season when Rafael Leão (two), Brahim Díaz and Alexis Saelemaekers were the goal-getters.
In a way, that was too late for Milan as Napoli were already on the verge of the first Serie A title in 33 seasons and had won 2-1 at the San Siro when Politano (penalty) and Giovanni Simeone were on target as they put together a blistering winning run which simply blew their rivals away. Giroud had replied for the then defending champions.
Napoli have not beaten Milan at home for six years. On that occasion, in August 2018, Milan led 2-0 through Giacomo Bonaventura and Davide Calabria before a quick-fire double from Piotr Zieliński drew Napoli level and Dries Mertens grabbed a winner for the Partenopei with 10 minutes remaining. It’s eight years since the Partenopei achieved a league double against the Milanese.
Betting Tip
Our Serie A 2025 betting odds make Napoli clear favourites at home as they aim to keep their title aspirations alive. You can back Antonio Conte’s team 1X2 @ 1.95 and Asian Handicap -0.50 at the same price.
Milan are priced 1X2 @ 3.56 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.21. Another 2-0 Napoli success will pay out @ 9.20 with Correct Score, while a re-run of last term’s meeting is on offer @ 16.00.
I think Napoli need to win this and should edge the encounter and am going to go for them to lead from the opening 45 minutes.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (
) BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
= €10 (CONFIDENT)
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
