The Big Game Focus returns to Italy for Napoli’s Serie A game with AC Milan. Read on for news and betting tips.
AC Milan will open their Serie A campaign with a match against last season’s runners up Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo this weekend. The Rossoneri didn’t play on the opening weekend last week as theirs was one of two matches that were postponed following a bridge collapse in Genoa.
There is plenty to think about in this tie, as both teams will want to put pressure on Juventus for this season’s league title.
All eyes will be on Gonzalo Higuain, who joined Milan from Juventus this summer, having previously been a hero in Naples. It is safe to say the Argentine is no longer held in the same regard by Napoli fans and he can expect a frosty reception this weekend.
Betting tips
Napoli opened their campaign with a 2-1 away win over Lazio last weekend. There had also been at least three goals scored in their three final pre-season matches. Milan’s last match was a 3-1 loss at the hands of Real Madrid. Bet on Over 2.5 Goals at 1.70 here.
As mentioned, Higuaín joined Milan this summer after a successful stint at Juventus, where he scored 55 goals in two years. Napoli was his first Italian club after he left Madrid in 2013, but he enjoyed playing against them for Juventus. The Argentine bagged five goals in six appearances against his former club. He is valued at odds of 3.00 to be Anytime Goalscorer here.
Napoli have won five and not lost any of their last seven matches against Milan. The last two times they hosted Gennaro Gattuso’s side, they won 2-1 and 4-2. Back Napoli for a Home Win at 1.65 here.
Team news
Carlo Ancelotti’s first home match as Napoli manager will see his club host the team with which he won two Champions League titles with. He will likely be without left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who underwent a knee operation in June, as well as new signing Amin Younes who has a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Christian Zapata is expected to miss the match for Milan thanks to injury. New signings like Tiémoué Bakayoko, Mattia Caldara, Diego Laxalt and Higuaín could make their league debuts for the club.
Likely line-ups
Napoli: Karnezis; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Rui; Allan, Hamšík, Zieliński; Callejón, Milik, Insigne
AC Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Caldara, Romagnoli, Rodríguez; Kessié, Biglia, Bonaventura; Suso, Higuaín, Çalhanoğlu