The title race is officially over. Nerazzurri have to wait for next season to challenge the reigning Champions again, hopefully with the better result than now. The least thing they could do in this season is to finish as the runner up with dignity. This midweek fixture is one closest step to achieve such target. They will be facing off Napoli, which also have secured their Europa League place via Coppa Italia path. This match can be regarded as the opportunity to prepare themselves for the continental competition next week since both are still in progress of their campaign.
The teams’ previous matches
Inter were back on winning ways while trashing Genoa 3-0 after being held in a goalless draw in the midweek. Romelu Lukaku’s brace and Alexis Sanchez’s strike led them to climb up to the second place in the standings.
Il Partenopei also managed to seal a win over Sassuolo 2-0 at home last weekend. Their Albanian wing back Elseid Hysaj opened the scoring. Yet, they had to wait till the stoppage time to double their lead by Allan. It was a bounce back from their loss in Ennio Tardini previously.
Possible tactic
Antonio Conte tends to stick to 3-5-2 with the transition to 3-4-1-2. The Danish international Cristian Eriksen or Borja Valero will be the playmaker behind the dynamic duo, Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez or Alexis Sanchez. However, a number of key players will be sidelined due to their injury such as Stefano Sensi, Mathias Vecino and the Dutch centre Stefan De Vrij. The youngster Alessandro Bastoni is likely to cover his absence at the defence line.
Meanwhile, the former AC Milan boss, Gennaro Gattusso has always been a fan of the offensive 4-3-3 despite his position as defensive midfielder while he was still playing. Their trio up front, Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon, are still the most dangerous one for the starting IX, whereas Mateo Politano, Arkadiusz Milik and Hirving Lozano can be brought on at the second half to break the deadlock when necessary. On the injury table, Mario Rui is the only name sitting out for this game.
Players to watch
Inter’s top performers are still be the Belgian and Argentinean international, Lukaku and Martinez. However, there is one name whose form has been improving since the lockdown. It was Manchester United loanee and the Chilean international Alexis Sanchez. He has bagged four goals and provided eight assists. Another key man to watch is Marcelo Brozovic.
In Napoli, their captain, Lorenzo Insigne is the main key figure on the pitch. He has contributed seven goals and six assists. Some other notable ones in the current squad are the Spaniard Fabian Ruiz, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens.
Inter vs Napoli Prediction
Both teams barely have any objectives for this clash. Thus, some of their reserved players might be given a chance in the starting line up. Gatusso and Conte are likely to employ some tactical experiments for their European campaign which starts next week. A draw seems the most reasonable result for both.
Betting odds
The clash is expected to be even. Yet, the host’s win market is at 2.05, whereas Insigne and Co are only priced to win at 3.70. The odds for the draw result are at the value of 3.45.
