The Azzurri and their Rossonero rivals both opened the season with eight consecutive victories, putting them in a tie for first place with 57 points. Since then, the pair has had multiple momentum shifts, but they will meet in Naples with the Scudetto still up for grabs.
Team News
Napoli
- Luciano Spalletti is poised to welcome back Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Hirving Lozano to his Napoli squad on Sunday, with just defensive reserves Kevin Malcuit and Axel Tuanzebe still missing out on Milan’s visit.
- While Stanislav Lobotka could replace Diego Demme in central midfield, the hosts are set to stick with their starting lineup, with captain Lorenzo Insigne starting on the left side of the Azzurri’s front three after scoring his first goal from open play last weekend.
- If Insigne and 11-goal top scorer Victor Osimhen lead their team to victory, he will become the first Serie A forward to earn 250 wins with one club since 2010.
AC Milan
- Meanwhile, Milan will be bolstered by the return of midfield mainstay Sandro Tonali, who was suspended on Tuesday and is set to replace Franck Kessie in the visitors’ engine room, where he should be joined by Ismael Bennacer, who is returning from a one- match Serie A suspension served against Udinese.
- However, due to a thigh problem, Alessio Romagnoli is a doubt for Stefano Pioli’s side, while both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and long-term absentee Simon Kjaer are still sidelined.
- Brahim Diaz will want to replace Rade Krunic in the three-man support network for Olivier Giroud up front, while Junior Messias and Alexis Saelemakers will compete for a spot on the right wing.
Prediction Analysis
In each of the last five Serie A matches between these teams in Naples (22 total; more than four on average), at least three goals have been scored, but this could be a tighter game.
In the rematch, there was little to separate the teams, so a single goal may decide the fate of three crucial points, leaving the losers playing catch-up in the title race.
Our prediction is Napoli 1-0 AC Milan
Possible lineup
Napoli: Rui; Lobotka, Ruiz; Politano, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly,
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kalulu, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Giroud