It’s a new month, and we have a straight run to the end of the Italian Serie A season. The international results are in the book, and that’s the last we’ll see of the Euro 2024 qualifiers until after the club campaign has been decided. That’s excellent news for followers of Napoli who have enjoyed watching their side blaze a trail of glory toward what would be a historic title win. Lifting the Serie A title would’ve been unthinkable for many Napoli supporters just a few years ago, but now the prize is theirs to throw away.
Napoli can take a massive leap towards winning Serie A by beating AC Milan at home in the pick of Sunday’s games. Some attractive fixtures are on the schedule from Europe this weekend, but few will challenge Napoli v AC Milan as the main attraction. Our team previews the game in detail, giving readers the information needed to make a sensible prediction about the result. Will Napoli make home advantage count and take a step closer to the prize, or will AC Milan throw a spanner in the works?
This is round 28 of the campaign, and we are almost at the business end of the season. Mistakes made now are punished to the max, while points won against rivals are more critical than ever. With Napoli fighting for the title and AC Milan battling for a top-four finish and place in next season’s Champions League, both clubs are here to win. There’s a lot at stake, which will make for a fascinating 90 minutes of Serie A football.
Napoli is almost there
It has already been a remarkable season for Napoli and its fans, but things are about to get much more exciting. The home side hit the front in the Serie A early this campaign and hasn’t looked back since. They have been almost faultless domestically and on the continent, winning their Champions League Group A ahead of Liverpool, Ajax, and Rangers. Everything the club touches turns to gold at present, and they are showing no signs of dropping their guard or throwing away the title.
Looking closely at Napoli’s form shows how impressive they have been this season. The home team has 71 points on the board, with Lazio in second place with 52 points against their name. That means the title’s destination is almost confirmed, but the trophy won’t be handed over until it’s mathematically impossible for Napoli to be tracked down by Lazio or another rival. We shouldn’t be too far from that stage now, with every game bringing the hosts closer to the finish line.
Napoli has won four and lost just one of their last five league games. The hosts have claimed six points in their previous two games, beating Atalanta 2-0 at this venue before thrashing Torino 4-0 on their travels. Between those two strong league wins was a 5-0 aggregate victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. The Germans are the current Europa League champions but were brushed aside by the team from Naples.
Milan is winless in three
AC Milan fans were in dreamland a little over 12 months ago as their side battled to a stunning Serie A title. They finished as the champions of Italy and were fully deserving of their prize, fending off attention from rivals Inter Milan and the competition’s other major players, including Juventus and Napoli. Fast forward to April 2023, and the same club is fighting for a top-four finish. They are currently stuck in fourth and are coming under increasing pressure.
Despite hoping to finish the prizes and qualify to play Champions League football again next season, Milan needs help. They are winless in their last three games, taking just one of the nine points available. While Napoli has won each of their previous two, AC Milan has a draw and defeat in the same period. They were last seen losing to Udinese on the road, going down by a hurtful 3-1 scoreline in a game they were expected to win. Milan is now in danger of going four games without victory.
The head-to-head stats between AC Milan and Napoli doesn’t do much to inspire confidence in an away win, either. AC Milan last won in Naples a year ago, claiming a 1-0 in March 2022. The winning goal that day was scored by Olivier Giroud early in the second half. Since then, the teams have met just once, with Napoli claiming a 2-1 in Milan in the summer. The visitors know the importance of taking something from this game, as they have two teams breathing down their necks for that fourth spot.
Napoli v AC Milan prediction
Napoli is top of the league and are the most likely Serie A champions this season. They also hold the home advantage and have much better form than their opponents. It’s easy to see why the locals are favourites with most pundits, football writers, and ex-players, but they won’t take victory for granted. If Napoli is anywhere near their best, they should win this game with a bit to spare.
Serie A odds
The pre-match betting odds at 22Bet offer victory for Napoli at 1.73, while AC Milan can be backed at 4.88 for followers of the away win. The draw is yours at the 3.7 trading.
Make sure to be on Napoli v AC Milan with 22Bet!