Napoli vs Inter Milan: Preview and Prediction

Napoli vs Inter Milan
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Friday, 2 December 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples).

Round 15 kicks off with a bang as Napoli take on Inter at the Stadio San Paolo on Friday evening.

Both the Partenopei and the Nerazzurri were in action only this past Monday, but have had little time to rest after their respective ties with Sassuolo and Fiorentina. For Maurizio Sarri’s side, they will be desperate to get back on track after a frustrating draw with the Neroverdi. Given how poorly Sassuolo have performed in the league this season, Napoli will feel like they threw away two valuable points as opposed to gaining one.

That result will not have done them any favors as they have now slipped down into seventh spot. Napoli find themselves also eight points behind Juventus in the race for the Scudetto, and although the Bianconeri were held back after suffering a shock 3-1 defeat to Genoa, the general feeling is their Scudetto ambitions are hanging by a very flimsy thread.

Not only are their title hopes pretty much already done and dusted, they are now facing the unwanted possibility of failing to even secure a Champions League berth, and a Europa League spot may slip through their fingers. That is, unless they turn things around quickly – especially with Atalanta in the kind of form they are in right now. Meanwhile, Inter come into this game off the back of a 4-2 win over Fiorentina. The result gave new coach Stefano Pioli his first win since taking over, but the fact that they allowed the Viola back into the game after going 3-0 up will not sit well with the ex-Lazio boss.

Like Napoli, Inter have struggled to keep things tight at the back, which means that this game will likely be an open game with goals scored – and conceded – at both ends. As always, Captain Mauro Icardi led the way with a brace, although the growing dependence on the Argentinian attacker is still a major source of concern. Pioli will hope that other supporting members will be able to also step up more and contribute to the team’s cause as we approach the mid-way point of this season.

Napoli vs Inter Milan: Head-to-head statistics

• Napoli have won 16, drawn three, and lost just one out of their past 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• The Partenopei have only lost two out of their last 11 Serie A games against Inter.
• Inter’s last win at the Stadio San Paolo was back during the 1997/1998 season (2-0).
• However, the Nerazzurri have only won twice in their past 11 meetings with Napoli (four draws, five losses).
• Inter have a record of W3-D6-L11 in their past 20 away games against teams ranked above them in the table.
• Napoli have conceded in seven out of their past eight games.
• The Partenopei have lost just one out of their last 26 home Serie A games.
• The Nerazzurri have seen over 2.5 goals in seven out of their last eight matches.

Napoli vs Inter Milan: Prediction

Inter have scored at least two goals in their past three Serie A games. However, six out of their last eight games have seen both teams scoring goal, whilst seven of those saw over three goals between the two sides. Meanwhile, Napoli have averaged two goals per game at the Stadio San Paolo, but have kept just one clean sheet in their past eight games.

Both are high-scoring sides, but have struggled to keep a clean sheet. Expect plenty of goals here at both ends. Inter come into this game having won their past match, but they have a lousy record at the Stadio San Paolo. Still, they may be able to do enough to nick a point off the Partenopei.