Serie A serves up an exciting heavyweight showdown this weekend, with defending champions Napoli hosting perennial challengers AC Milan on Sunday.
The two sides are separated by four points after nine games, with second-placed Milan leading fourth-placed Napoli. Meanwhile, Inter Milan lead the way.
Although the reigning champions have flattered to deceive this season, they will almost certainly rise to the occasion on Sunday.
Napoli claimed a 1-0 victory over Union Berlin in the Champions League on Tuesday, courtesy of a second-half strike from Giacomo Raspadori.
Thanks to last weekend’s 3-1 triumph against Hellas Verona, the champions head into Sunday’s clash on a two-game winning streak.
In Serie A, Napoli have recorded five wins, two draws and two losses this term, taking 17 points from a possible 27. Still, they remain within touching distance of the top.
It is also worth noting that only leaders Inter Milan (24) have scored more Serie A goals than Napoli (20) this term, underlining the team’s attacking threat.
As for AC Milan, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, seeing just 38% possession in the French capital.
Following a 1-0 loss against Juventus last weekend, the Rossoneri enter Sunday’s showdown on the back of successive defeats.
That said, Milan have won seven of their nine Serie A clashes this season, with four straight league victories preceding last weekend’s defeat to Juventus.
Better still, Milan have only conceded two goals across their past five Serie A encounters, keeping three clean sheets for good measure.
Head-to-head: Napoli have only managed to win one of their last five meetings with Milan across all competitions, suffering three losses in that time.
In Serie A, however, Napoli have won three of their previous five matches against the Rossoneri, keeping a couple of clean sheets along the way.
Team news: Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, remains sidelined with a thigh injury, while midfielder Frank Anguissa also finds himself on the treatment table.
On the flip side, Milan’s lengthy injury list features Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ismael Bennacer, Mattia Caldara, Samuel Chukwueze, Noah Okafor and Marco Sportiello.
Sunday’s showdown will likely produce plenty of drama and goals, with both sides battling for supremacy at the top end of the table.
Forebet predicts that Napoli and AC Milan will combine for over 3.5 goals, while the visitors outscoring the hosts on this occasion.