Napoli vs AC Milan prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-04-17 19:00.
Despite a 0-0 draw against Verona at the weekend, Napoli remain on course to take the Serie A (SA) crown away from AC Milan this season. Despite that, the Blues may be feeling very much like the inferior half of this matchup in recent times. They lost a home league H2H meeting earlier in the month by an astonishing 4-0 margin, then failed to dish out any revenge in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final tie last week when they went down 1-0 at the San Siro.
Consequently, Milan could now become the first team to beat Napoli three times in one season since Lazio back in 1994/95. Despite their recent H2H setbacks, the hosts do boast a proud home record in this competition, avoiding defeat in each of their last 12 UCL games at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium (W9, D3). Notably, all four matches here in this year’s edition of the competition delivered victories.
While Milan earned themselves what could be a crucial lead going into this second leg, manager Stefano Pioli admitted there was some “regret” that his side couldn’t extend their lead late in the first game following André-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s red card. There would have also been some further frustration that they weren’t able to strengthen their position in the Serie A top four following a 1-1 draw at Bologna at the weekend.
While their goal was breached in that clash, robust defensive displays have laid the foundations for Milan’s impressive UCL run this season. They have shut out their opponents in each of their last five UCL matches – their best consecutive run of clean sheets since 2004/05 when they went all the way to the competition’s final.
Players to watch: Although he’s without a goal since mid-March, Piotr Zieliński has been involved in five goals (G3, A2) in his last four home UCL appearances for Napoli. On a similar note, Milan’s Rafael Leão has scored five of his last six competitive goals on the road, including two at this venue earlier this month.
Hot streak: Napoli have been eliminated from their last ten UCL knockout ties after losing the first leg.