AC Milan vs Napoli
Few would have thought a Serie A match of this scale would involve the team placed 14th hosting the one in seventh position.
Yet 2019/2020 has not gone quite to plan for either of these clubs so far.
That does not detract from the return of a true Milanese hero though.
Having won two European Cups and two Serie A titles, plus three other trophies as a Milan player, Carlo Ancelotti then delivered a pair of Champions League crowns and the Scudetto in a trophy-laden eight-year spell as coach which ran until 2009
An Italian who turned the Rossoneri into world-beaters in and out of the dugout is sure of a warm welcome.
Talking Points
In recent seasons, Milan have largely been forced to accept mid-table mediocrity, amid ownership changes and Juventus’ domination.
Napoli have produced more Serie A highlights in recent seasons including three years as runners-up, but they have largely been below par this term too – although have impressed in the Champions League.
Indeed, these two clubs haven’t had a worse combined tally after 12 games since Napoli bounced back from Serie B in 2007.
Milan come into the match without a win from their last four matches against Napoli at San Siro, and that record is backed up by three losses in five home fixtures this season.
Having made their worst start to the season since 1941-42, the hosts are already bringing out some dusty statistics from the archive.
If they lose to the Partenopei, it will be the first time Milan have ever lost eight games in their first 13 matches.
Napoli haven’t won for five games and are currently on their worst run since February 2016. If they make it six, you would have to go back to 2013 to find an equally poor run for the southerners.
More so than form though, it is speculation concerning Ancelotti that has proved the main talking point in the build-up to this.
This week former AC Milan director Massimiliano Mirabelli said he believed Ancelotti will return to the Rossoneri as manager one day.
This added to debate after the Napoli squad recently mutinied against a training retreat ordered by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, leading to rumours Ancelotti could be sacked as head coach and that a number of their star players could be forced out in January.
However, this could be no more than football gossip.
Milan have already replaced Marco Giampaolo and appointed Stefano Pioli as the second successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who ended last season one point away from Champions League football.
The dynamic on Saturday will sure be interesting.
History
This fixture last season ended goalless, yet Milan won a home Coppa Italia quarter-final tie 2-0 thanks to a double from Krzysztof Piatek, although they lost to eventual winners Lazio in the semi-finals.
Indeed, this fixture has finished 0-0 for the last two seasons.
Three years ago, Napoli won 2-1 at the San Siro courtesy of two goals in the opening nine minutes from Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon.
The last time Milan defeated Napoli at home in the league was in 2014 when Jeremy Menez and Giacomo Bonaventura were the marksmen.
That was one of only two home league successes against the Naples club over the past decade.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Napoli edge a five-goal thriller.
Piotr Zielinski netted twice before Dries Mertens grabbed a winner after Milan had opened up a two-goal lead through Bonaventura and Davide Calabria.
Betting Tip
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AC Milan vs Napoli | 1X2 draw @ 3.35 |
| November 24, 01:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET Serie A betting odds favour Napoli.
They can be backed 1X2 @ 2.25 and First Half 1X2 @ 2.75. Milan are available 1X2 @ 3.05 and First Half 1X2 @ 3.95.
With Asian Handicap betting, an attractive bet for me is Napoli -0.50 @ 2.25 and Milan 0.00 @ 2.36.
Over 2.75 goals @ 2.21, total goal 2-3 @ 1.90 and 4-6 @ 3.45 suggests we should not expect a glut of goals, but equally, it’s not expected to be a low scoring affair.
A repeat of the scoreline from the last two seasons with correct score 0-0 will payout @ 10.50, while a re-run of the cup tie from the start of this year with correct score 2-0 is available @ 20.00.
This is a tough call. Both sides are under pressure and both managers are probably too. They head into this clash on the back of poor runs of form.
However, while Napoli have more quality, they also have an important Champions League tie 72 hours after this one.
Surely, it won’t be a third successive 0-0 though!
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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