Serie A: Inter’s Aim is to Topple Napoli

Inter Milan vs Napoli

And the reigning champions have a chance to do just that on Sunday when they take on the Serie A leaders at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, in the Italian top flight clash of the weekend.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are a point behind Napoli and they come into the game in a confident mood on the back of a Champions League victory over Arsenal; and last week they won 1-0 at home to Venezia in Serie A. In the opposite dugout Antonio Conte has got the 2023 Scudetto winners dreaming again but they were slapped 3-0 at home by top four rivals Atalanta last week, and the wily boss will be looking for a reaction in this title six-pointer.

The latest Serie A 2024 betting odds reckon these two teams will finish one and two this season, with I Nerazzurri slightly odds on to retain their title. Inzaghi’s aim is for the teams to swap places this weekend but Conte is a clever tactician and a fierce adversary.  

 

Talking Points

Inter has the look of champions    

Inzaghi’s team has steel and efficiency at the back with a defence marshalled by Stefan de Vrij and Yann Bisseck; but in a superbly balanced team they also have midfield prowess from the likes of Piotr Zielinski and Hakan Calhanoglu and a potent attack.

France striker Marcus Thuram is in the form of his life with seven goals while 2024 Capocannoniere winner Lautaro Martinez has five.

It was Calhanoglu who grabbed the headlines against Arsenal, scoring the penalty which beat the Gunners and his overall performance won him the man-of-the-match. The Turkish supremo has now dispatched all 19 of the spot-kicks that he has taken for I Nerazzurri, and it is that ruthless efficiency which makes Inter look like champions. Bisseck and flying wingback Denzil Dumfries also impressed against Arsenal.

This team is not infallible of course. The Derby D’Italia was a humdinger of a match but Inzaghi will be angry that his team let Juventus off the hook at 4-2 and the game ended up 4-4. Inter were keen to get a result against Empoli after that chaotic goal fest and a brace from Davide Frattesi and a goal from Martinez delivered a clinical 3-0 win. Napoli’s task is to stop Inter from making it four in a row.

 

Napoli aiming for a Milan double

I Partenopei know the size of the challenge facing them; but Milan has been a happy hunting ground, as recently as two weeks ago, when goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratkshelia gave Conte’s men a comfortable 2-0 win over AC Milan.

Georgian winger Kvaratkshelia is back to his form of the 2023 Scudetto season and has scored five goals already, while Belgian striker Lukaku, reunited with his old boss, has four goals and four assists, and he too is enjoying his football after an unsettled 12 months. 

Following last season’s pitiful defence of their league title Napoli have roared back under Conte and captain Gio Di Lorenzo is as influential as ever. And the signing of midfield powerhouse Scott McTominay, in a 30m Euros switch from Manchester United, looks to be an inspired move. The 6ft 4in Scot looks tailor made for the Italian league as a strong midfield battler with leadership skills, tactical awareness and an eye for goal. While the Red Devils have toiled in the Premier League McTominay has been thriving in Italy, scoring his first league goal after just 25 seconds of a 3-1 win over Como in September.

Conte has clear strength in his first eleven but he needs to keep these key players fit and firing if his team is to take their title challenge all the way.   

 

History

Inter lead the head to heads against Napoli by 23 wins to 17 and there have been 13 draws in all competitions since 1993. 

In terms of recent form both teams have five wins from the last six games, Inter drawing their other game while Napoli had that surprise defeat to La Dea.     

Napoli have not won away to Inter in five attempts though last season this game ended in a 1-1 draw.

 

Betting Tip

It’s very tight at the top of Serie A with just four points separating leaders Napoli from sixth placed Juventus and, with Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio all within a victory of the top spot, Inter and Napoli fans will be watching Saturday’s Serie A 2024 updates keenly.   

When they get it on come Sunday I Nerazzurri are at SBOTOP odds of 1.83 to win with Napoli at 3.70 and the draw is 3.24. It’s a game which can go either way so I’m going for a match with goals, but not a flood.

   

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