Napoli's numbers to shine in Milan
AC Milan welcome Napoli to the San Siro in a top of the table clash in Serie A. Milan are sat in second behind their cross city rivals at the summit with Napoli just three points behind the hosts in fourth. Atalanta are sandwiched in between these two in third with the pairing of the early season pacesetters struggling to keep up the form they demonstrated in the opening stretch. Both of these sides have hugely overperformed in an attacking sense this term which could make it difficult to sustain their potent attacking contingents in the coming months. The title race in Serie A this season is so watchable and Luciano Spalletti will be keen to end Gli Azzurri’s poor run against a direct rival.
Process
Milan have overperformed their expected goals (xG) by 9.9, simply unsustainable and the main reason they rank fifth on expected points. Stefano Pioli’s men got off to an excellent start to the 2021/22 campaign before making for Inter Milan to be crowned champions, this term has told a familiar tale looking back at that but there will still be belief amongst the squad that they can stay in the hunt.
Napoli have an incredibly good defensive process this season, and have allowed just 0.84 xGA per game in the league to this point. With Juventus slowly gaining momentum outside of the top four, there is a good opportunity for these two to kick on domestically in the break from European competition that lies ahead in the coming months. Spalletti’s men have also been more creative in attacking areas than Milan and in terms of expected goals look the more assured side to sustain a push for the title.
Goals?
Serie A has been an overs league however, without Napoli’s outstanding process they are bound to start keeping clean sheets soon. An outright play is my preferred option.
- Milan have scored in all of their last 12.
- Milan have conceded in seven of ten.
- Milan have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
- Milan have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
- Napoli have scored in nine of ten.
- Napoli have conceded in eight of ten.
- Napoli have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
- Napoli have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Confidence could be a little bit shot after some inconsistent results in recent weeks for Gli Azzurri. However, Napoli will be boosted by a less relentless schedule and should be able to prepare effectively by Sunday evening.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-0 Napoli, a comfortable winner.