Inter vs Napoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-01-03 19:45.
The World Cup break halted a free-scoring Inter Milan as their 20-goal rush across seven Serie A (SA) games (W6, L1) helped make up for lost ground in the top-four race. Yet, the Scudetto remains a distant dream with the Nerazzurri 11 points behind leaders Napoli although a win here could breathe life into the title race as manager Simone Inzaghi still believes that a comeback is “absolutely” possible.
Inzaghi couldn’t have chosen a better opponent or venue for a statement of intent as Inter have won their last four SA home H2Hs, their best such run since January 2011. They have won their last five home games as well, including a comprehensive 6-1 win over Bologna in their latest appearance here which is likely to be a confidence booster.
That was the only goal Inter conceded here across five home games but the arrival of SA’s top-scoring side Napoli (37) could test their defence. The visitors went into the break unbeaten in the league (W13, D2), marking just the fourth instance of a SA side picking up 40+ points at this stage of a campaign. That run was underpinned by the club’s longest winning run (11) in a single top-flight season, which has helped them amass an eight-point lead over challengers AC Milan, as hopes of a first Scudetto since 1989/90 continue to grow in Naples.
Napoli have dropped points just once on the road in this league campaign (W6, D1) but have given glimpses of hope for their rivals. Four of their last five SA away wins have come by a single-goal margin, with three needing Napoli to find a winner at 1-1, so Inter may sense an opening to halt the visitors.
Players to watch: Inter’s Edin Džeko has five goals in 13 SA matches against Napoli, but has also picked up a personal-high seven yellow cards against them! Meanwhile, visiting forward Victor Osimhen will be gunning to add to his tally of seven goals across his last six league games.
Hot stat: Napoli have scored the last match goal in nine of their last 11 SA games.