Napoli vs AC Milan – Rossoneri have a chance to overtake Inter
Published:It sounds like a harsh point to make given that Inter Milan are Champions League holders but most of their compatriots have performed dismally in Europe recently, and the two teams competing in the Monday night Serie A game on ESPN are among the worst offenders.
Napoli and AC Milan were both disappointing in midweek, with Napoli offering very little against an under-strength Liverpool team in a Europa League match they had promised to treat like a cup final and the Rossoneri beaten within 14 minutes away to Real Madrid.
Thankfully, they have both had far more to celebrate domestically recently, with AC Milan perhaps capable of mounting their strongest title challenge in five years and Napoli looking like genuine contenders for a top-four finish.
The visitors have more to gain in this second massive encounter in five days at the San Paolo, as victory will see them climb two points above neighbours Inter in second just two shy of surprise leaders Lazio, and they are 6/4 favourites to triumph.
There are three very good reasons not to dismiss Napoli, who will leapfrog AC Milan and go level with Inter if they win, though. Firstly, the Partenopei have a fairly clean bill of health, whereas Thiago Silva and Ronaldinho are among the absentees for their opponents.
In addition, the scudetto chasers haven’t won on any of their last four trips to Naples, last taking all the points in 1998, while there hasn’t been a travelling success all weekend so far in Serie A. Napoli are 9/5 to deliver yet it’s the draw at 11/5 that stands out.
After a slow start to his San Siro career, Robinho has impressed in his last two cameos and may be the man to benefit from compatriot Ronaldinho’s injury setback, so consider the former Manchester City man at 8/1 to score first.
Clashes between the duo are generally low-scoring affairs however and as AC Milan have only netted twice on the road in the league, under 2.5 appeals at 4/5. See the full Napoli vs AC Milan match betting odds market here.
