Preview and Prediction
Rossonero proves their true class. A series of big win against the teams on the top six indicates their current existence not as a sleeping or forgotten giant, but the rising one for their glory days ahead. This weekend another high profile team is ready to take on them in San Paolo. The giant from the South will put their best effort to stop their positive trend. One good thing which probably enables them to do so is that AC Milan’s former boss, and former star in mid 2000s, Gennaro Gattusso, is now in charge in Napoli. It will be one intriguing reunion for ‘The Rhino’.
Both teams’ previous matches
Il Partenopei were back on winning days after crushing Genoa 2-1 on the road in the midweek. Dries Mertens gave the lead at the early second half but not for long as Edoardo Goldaniga equalised. The Mexican international Hirving Lozano finally netted a winning goal on 66th minute.
Giacomo Bonaventura and Co finally proved that they were up for the challenge to stop Juventus’s series of victory, and they did it gloriously. Milan trashed their old rival 4-2. At first, the wind of doubts was upon them as they conceded twice by Adrien Rabiot and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Stefano Pioli’s men managed to make a memorable comeback in five minutes! It all began on 62nd minutes when Ibrahimovic scored a lifeline through his penalty. Then, the Swedish legend provided an assist for Frank Kessie to net an equaliser on 66th minutes and one minute later without leaving Maurizio Sarri’s men to catch a break; Rafael Leao bagged the third goal and took over the lead. They sealed a win as Ante Rebic found the back of the net.
Possible tactic
Gennare Gatusso has turned Il Partenopei into a more offensive team by deploying Sarri’s old formula, 4-3-3. The former AC Milan star and boss rotates the squad from time to time as well. Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milik are the main forward. Yet, he also has the daunting lines of frontmen on the bench ready to prove their quality once they are given a chance such as Hirving Lozano, Amen Younes, Matteo Politano or the former Real Madrid man, Jose Callejon.
Stefano Pioli has found the new grove in the team after the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His return might only be brief but such is sufficient to inspire Milan in the most critical time as now. Pioli has no objection to modify his formation from previously 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 or even 4-4-2. Ibra is accompanied by either Ante Rebic or the promising Portuguese forward Rafael Leao.
Players to watch
Napoli has one of the most talented midfielders in the squad, the 24-year old Fabian Ruiz. The Spanish international has scored twice and provided four assists. Another notable figure to watch here is the Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik who is also the current club’s top scorer with ten goals so far.
In Milan squad, apart from the great inspiring Ibrahimovic, there are some other names who have potentials to shine in the next outing and possibly next season too. The 21-year old Rafael Leao is the one who steals the spotlight with his five goals so far, the defensive midfielder Ismael Bennacer and Theo Hernadez.
Napoli vs Milan Prediction
This is definitely a clash for Europa League spots. The visitor is sitting on the fifth but with only one point difference from the home side; it is not a safe position yet. Only a victory could keep Lorenzo Insigne and Co away from them. Nevertheless, such task will be tough since Napoli has the key man who knows Milan inside out, Gatusso. A draw seems to be a fair result.
Betting odds
The match is expected to be entertaining and even. The host is projected to win at 2.07. The draw result is at 3.35 and Rossonero are only priced to win at 3.65.
