AC Milan vs Napoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-02-10 19:45.
If AC Milan are to reclaim the title they last won in 2021/22, then they’ll be doing it the hard way as despite being unbeaten across their previous eight Serie A games (W6, D2), they started the round eight points behind leaders and rivals Inter Milan. There’s been no shortage of action as they’ve scored and conceded at least twice in their last three fixtures (W2, D1), something they’ve never done in four consecutive Serie A games.
But failing to shut out opponents has hurt them, including drawing 2-2 here with Bologna most recently as it ended a run of five straight home Serie A victories. Nevertheless, speculation continues that manager Stefano Pioli will leave in the summer, and the latest names to have been touted as his replacement include Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
If things look bad for Milan, then last year’s champions Napoli have been a much bigger disappointment this term, although recent improvement in Serie A (W2, D1) has moved them closer to the European qualification places. After beating Verona 2-1, a game in which all three goals arrived after the 70th minute, manager Walter Mazzarri is reportedly considering changing his tactics again.
He’s modified his formation to good effect recently to handle absences due to injury and international call-ups, but a lack of fit defenders presents an additional challenge here. His tactical nous will be tested as the Partenopei look to extend an impressive unbeaten away run at Milan in the league that started in October 2015 (W5, D3), with the last four of those victories by a single-goal margin.
Players to watch: Luka Jović has scored after the 80th minute in two of Milan’s last three games, including the winners against Frosinone and Udinese (both W 3-2). On the scoresheet against Verona after a barren run, Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s last two goals came after the 70th minute, and Napoli have won all 18 of his goalscoring appearances for them.
Hot stat: 29% of goals in Napoli’s league games this term arrived after the 75th minute (17/58).