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Inter Milan vs Napoli Odds & Prediction – Serie A Round 13

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in Soccer News

Updated Nov 20, 2021 · 5:59 AM PST

Napoli players celebrate goal
Napoli's Dries Mertens celebrates after scoring his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Europa League Group C soccer match between Legia Warsaw and Napoli in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
  • League-leading Napoli head to Milan to face Inter at San Siro on Matchday 13
  • Following a draw in the Milan derby before the break, Inter will see this as must-win to stay in the title race
  • Read below for the latest Inter vs Napoli odds, betting preview and a pick

Inter Milan and Napoli meet at San Siro in Round 13 of the 2021-22 Serie A season. Napoli sits atop the table after the international break with Inter down in third, seven points off the pace.

Inter is favored for their encounter this weekend, however. Napoli hasn’t won against Inter at San Siro since 2017, and they have scored just twice in their last five meetings. Luciano Spalletti’s side are in supreme form, surprising the rest of the league with their early season performances, but history isn’t on their side here.

The team from Naples will have relinquished top spot by the time this match kicks off if AC Milan avoid defeat against Fiorentina on Saturday. Inter are under pressure from Atalanta, who will go level on points with the Nerazzurri if they beat Spezia in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Inter vs Napoli Odds

Matchup Spread Moneyline Total
Inter vs Napoli INT -0.5 (+125) | NAP +0.5 (-140) INT +125 | NAP +225 | DRAW +245 Ov 2.5 (-130) | Un 2.5 (+110)

Odds as of Nov 20 at DraftKings

Team News

Inter is without Stefan de Vrij through a hamstring injury, but Andrea Ranocchia is an experienced deputy to step into the back three alongside Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Škriniar. Alexis Sanchez remains sidelined for Inzaghi, and there’s competition at right wing-back with Denzel Dumfries hoping to get the nod ahead of Matteo Darmian.

Napoli is missing Diego Demme after a positive COVID-19 test. Kalidou Koulibaly is back from suspension, though, to give a further boost to the league’s best defense. Kostas Manolas is available for selection again, too.

Neither manager will mix things up too much here. Inzaghi should stick with his 3-5-2 with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez leading the line, while Spallettii has no reason to move away from the 4-2-3-1 which has served him so well thus far.

Best Defense Meets Best Offense

This is a matchup of Inter’s league-best attack and Napoli’s league-leading defense. I Partenopei have conceded a measly four goals so far in Serie A, and are far clear in expected goal difference against with just 7.9. The next best mark is 11.7.

Inter have scored 29 goals to date despite Dzeko and Martinez hitting a cold spell of late. The pair have combined for just one goal in their last 18 appearances for club and country. The Nerazzurri’s goal – record is backed up by their Serie A-best expected goal tally of 24.4.

https://twitter.com/IFTVofficial/status/1461702290436415489

While this could lead to a deadlock between two evenly matched teams, set pieces might be the difference on Sunday. Napoli have been dangerous from dead-ball situations, scoring seven of their 24 league goals from set pieces. Inter have not been convincing when defending corners and free-kicks, conceding seven of their 13 goals from set plays.

Inter vs Napoli Serie A Statistics

Inter
VS
Napoli
3rd Position 1st
29 Goals scored 24
WLDWWD Form WWDWWD
26 yellows, 0 reds Cards 21 yellows, 2 reds
15.3 Shots per match 15.7
63% Shots inside the area 49%
+0.80 Expected goal difference per 90 +1.10

Inter Milan vs Napoli Prediction

A draw would be a good result for Napoli. Inter could do with a win to close the gap at the top, but the recent form of Dzeko and Martinez doesn’t bode well for breaking down this stout Napoli defense. Both teams are well-organized out of possession and will look contain.

Inter haven’t lost in 22 home league matches. Napoli are nearing their club record unbeaten streak having made it 21 matches without defeat thanks to their draw with Verona before the break.

There’s sufficient attacking talent for either side to snatch a victory, but a drop-off in form from their key goal scorers suggests we could be in for a low-scoring match. Victor Osimhen has scored just twice in six appearances, and Napoli have only scored six goals in five league matches.

There has been two or fewer goals in the last five meetings between these two sides – we’re backing that run to continue.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals (+110)

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