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Kick off: Monday, 30 November 2015 @20:00 GMT
Venue: San Paolo Stadium (Naples)
Head to head record
Napoli vs Inter 2-2 (2014/15 Serie A)
Napoli vs Inter 1-0 (2014/15 Coppa Italia)
Inter vs Napoli 2-2 (2014/15 Serie A)
Inter vs Napoli 0-0 (2013/14 Serie A)
Napoli vs Inter 4-2 (2013/14 Serie A)
Napoli vs Inter prediction
Monday night brings us the derby game of Serie A round 14 at Sao Paolo Stadium, as the top-placed Inter travel to Naples for a highly anticipated encounter against the second-placed Napoli. Two of the best teams in Italy meet in a game that could provide some key answers in the title chase.
Five-star Napoli
Partenopei have been fairly impressive this term. Having lost the opening game of the Serie A campaign, Napoli have embarked on a mission which saw them go 17 games without a single win in all competitions. What is more, Napoli have drawn only three in the process and it is fair to say that they are the most pleasant surprise in Serie A. Maurizio Sarri’s charges have notched five straight home wins in domestic competition, scoring 12 goals and allowing only two along the way. What is more, they have conceded only eight goals throughout the season and no wonder the fans are beginning to feel optimistic. Players themselves are taken aback by the impressive stretch of results which was prolonged in the UEFA Europa League during the week. Despite the fact they travelled to Belgium without their first-choice players, Vesuviani have managed to beat Club Brugge thanks to a goal from Chiriches, which saw them cement their top spot in Group D, booking their place in the knock-out stage of the competition. Turning their focus towards the derby game, the hosts will be hoping their key player Gonzalo Higuain will be able to keep the fantastic run going. The Argentine striker is league’s top scorer with ten to his name, and he will be the one to watch on Monday.
The home side will be without Jonathan de Guzman and Camilo Zuniga who are injured for the occasion, while Dries Mertens and Manolo Gabbiadini are having injury problems. Sarri has rested his key players in Belgium and will have a strong squad to choose from.
Can Inter make it?
No one expected that Inter Milan will be battling for Scudetto in their transitional year. Still, Roberto Mancini has done a magnificent job in creating a strong team capable of reaching the highest heights. Defensively strong, Inter have been criticized for their playing style for much of the season, but Mancini’s cautious approach has paid dividends as Nerazzuri are sitting top of the league with 30 points to their name, and only one defeat after 13 games. Inter have been going from strength to strength ever since their September set-back against Fiorentina, notching up four straight wins most recently. Mancini’s charges are coming off from their rampant 4-0 victory over the minnows Frosinone and the comprehensive triumph will have been a timely morale boost for the players, who are lacking no confidence as they prepare for their trip to Naples. Mauro Icardi is the team’s top scorer, but the limelight is currently set on Marcelo Brozovic who scored against Frosinone two minutes after coming on from the bench. The Croatian scored his first goal of the season and could be given a run, as he has already expressed his desire to play more under Roberto Mancini. Stevan Jovetic will also be under scrutiny as the Montenegrin is expected to take responsibility and lead the team against strong opposition on Monday.
Nemanja Vidic is a long-term absentee and is joined by Davide Santon, who suffered a bruised ankle. Geoffrey Kondogbia has picked up a hip flexor strain and is likely to be rested for a trip to Naples, with aforementioned Marcelo Brozovic ready to step in.
Napoli vs Inter betting tip
Derbies are always tough to predict, but I expect to see a close-knit competition between two sides not afraid to take on each other. I believe we will bear witness to an openly contested encounter which could bring goals at both ends.
Watch Napoli vs Inter Live Stream
Tip: Both teams to score
Odds: 1.83 (5/6) @10Bet
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