The top two of the Serie A clash on Sunday in a high stakes match that could determine the direction of the Scudetto race for the 2021/22 season.
Napoli and Milan are only separated by goal difference, with both clubs occupying the first and second places respectively with 17 wins, 6 draws and 4 defeats each to earn 57 points after 27 matches.
A loss for either side could see third place Inter leapfrog into second place after their win over bottom club Salernitana on Friday, and this is a situation both teams want to avoid.
A draw for either Napoli or Milan would also mean a three-way tie, with goal difference being the only separating factor. Inter could also leapfrog both teams into first place with this outcome.
We can predict that both teams will give it their all in this fixture as the alternative outcomes could be unfavorable for both teams, who are seeking a Scudetto title after decades.
Form Guide: Napoli
Napoli played a thoroughly entertaining game against Lazio last weekend and came out 2-1 winners from the tie. For this reason, the Partenopei are going into the tie with all to play for after regaining the top spot in the Serie A after more than 10 weeks off it.
They maintain their status as Serie A’s top side on current form going into the clash, winning 17 points of the last 21 on offer. They’re also still the Serie A’s best defense, having conceded only 19 goals at this stage. Their lack of goals, however, will be a problem going into the game as Milan is the up there with the best goalscorers in the Serie A.
The Partenopei have also won 12 of their last 30 meetings with Milan in the Serie A, drawing 11 and losing seven. The reverse fixture at the San Siro also ended in a victory for Napoli, which should give them an extra edge heading into the game.
Form Guide: Milan
Just like Napoli, Milan’s record in the Serie A is impressive. They have the same number of wins (17), draws (6) and losses (4), with only defense poorer than their opponents on Sunday being their undoing. Stefano Pioli’s side, however, have only managed to win two of their previous six Serie A games and have drawn three of their previous five.
However, it is worth noting that Milan have a six-game unbeaten streak away from home that betters Napoli’s record in that time. On the strength of that run, the Rossoneri can be backed to get something out of their trip to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
That impressive record, however, will pale in comparison to their recent Serie A run against Napoli, which has seen them win only once in their last five games against the club.
Lazio vs Napoli Prediction
This game could go anyways in terms of an outright winner because of the run both teams are currently on. Milan has their strong away form and Lazio have their strong overall form from the past six games.
Napoli will be without the injured trio of Hirving Lozano, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Kevin Malcuit on Sunday.
Milan will also be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessio Romagnoli, who partnered Simon Kjaer to great effect at the start of the season before the Dane suffered a season-ending injury.
Both teams will score in the fixture. However, the fixture has been a low scoring one in its past five iterations with under 2.5 goals being the final outcome. An over 1.5 pick will be the safest pick while an under 2.5 pick could attract the risk takers.
A value tip could be backing Napoli to score first because Milan will come into the fixture on the back of a gruelling Copa Italia fixture against Inter.
Anytime Goalscorer
Lorenzo Insigne, Napoli’s captain, is a good pick for anytime goalscorer. The diminutive winger is Napoli’s most potent shooter and can easily pick out a corner of the post once he finds the space.