Will Napoli cruise past AC Milan?
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Saturday will see Serie A top four rivals AC Milan and Napoli clash at the San Siro. Both sides have been in stellar form winning their last two league fixtures. Napoli are coming off of wins over Bologna and Lazio; and Carlo Ancelotti’s Partenopei outscored their opponents 5-3 during that time span.
Meanwhile, Milan defeated relegation strugglers SPAL and Genoa. Gennaro Gattuso’s team shut out Genoa last weekend while putting two goals past the Grifone in an easy win away from home.
Napoli are 13 points ahead of Milan. However, inconsistent form against other top sides – mostly Juventus and Inter – have prevented Napoli from closing the gap between themselves and the league leaders. Ancelotti has watched his team collected 18 points from 27 on the road.
Four of Napoli’s last six away games have ended in wins, although their last trip to the San Siro against Inter finished in a loss. Napoli are +3 in goal difference on their travels which pales in comparison to their +18-goal difference at home. Despite being weaker away from the San Paolo, Napoli have still got results this term.
Milan have made the San Siro a difficult stadium for visitors to play in. The Rossoneri have collected 20 of 30 points possible. Only three of the team’s last six home games have ended in wins, while two saw the side fall to defeat. Milan have recorded a +4-goal difference, but just 16 goals have been tallied in front of their home supporters.
Gattuso will be without striker Gonzalo Higuain for the fixture, and for the rest of the season for that matter. The Argentine, who is on loan from Juventus, will seal a transfer to Premier League club Chelsea this week. Higuain scored six goals in 15 games for Milan.
However, taken in context, supporters will see that Higuain had scored just one goal in his last 12 games in all competitions for Milan. Age has caught up with the 31-year-old. Milan will also be without defender Cristian Zapata due to a thigh injury.
Napoli’s recent record against Milan has been sterling. The Partenopei haven’t lost the Rossoneri in their last six meetings in Serie A. Napoli won their previous fixture this season 3-2 in a barnburner in Naples. Just one fixture in their last six has seen fewer than 2.0 goals. That game came last term at the San Siro when the fixture ended nil-nil.
Milan’s record against Napoli has been poor and it is only due to get worse as the Partenopei will get the win against their rivals. While Milan are a good side, they are not to Napoli’s level just yet. Ancelotti’s team will keep a clean sheet while getting past Milan with two goals.
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