Inter Milan vs Napoli Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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A stellar tie between the last two champions of Italy takes place at San Siro on Saturday as Internazionale welcome Napoli to the north.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports & DAZN / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
How to watch online: UK – HBO Max & DAZN / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
Inter Milan preview: As steady as ever
Cristian Chivu won the Serie A title last season with Internazionale now again looking to fight on multiple fronts this time around with a steady summer window, having reached the UEFA Champions League final in both 2023 and then 2025.
The Nerazzurri began with a 4-1 hammering of newly-promoted Monza in their opener before edging through to a 1-0 victory in Sardinia against Cagliari – in a game in which they really should have scored a few more.
Napoli preview: Allegri under pressure
The volatility of Napoli saw Antonio Conte depart this summer and Aurelio Di Laurentiis opt to replace him with Massimiliano Allegri, who failed to qualify AC Milan for the UEFA Champions League last season.
The Neapolitans were impressive in a 2-0 defeat of Genoa in their opening game but pressure has already grown on Allegri after he oversaw a 2-1 defeat at home to Cesc Fabregas’ Como last weekend.
Inter Milan team news: The English trio
John Stones and Curtis Jones came off the bench in the second half against Cagliari last week but Djed Spence remains a slight fitness concern after his move from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Josep Martinez; Pavard, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Esposito, L. Martinez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Spence (Fitness)
Napoli team news: No McTominay
Scott McTominay has been diagnosed with mild heart arrythmia and now requires surgery so he is unavailable for a while. Alessandro Buongiorno suffered a knee injury in pre-season with new signing Benoit Badiashile also a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Mathias Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Lang
Unavailable: Buongiorno (Injured), Marianucci (Injured), McTominay (Illness)
Questionable: Badiashile (Fitness)
Inter Milan vs Napoli prediction
Massimiliano Allegri’s style of football is often tedious to watch for the neutral. He will want his Napoli side to be extremely awkward and difficult for Inter to play against. Inter, though, will be content with that because the versatility and variation of their play and squad should ensure they have enough to eventually break the visitors down but it is unlikely to be an overly thrilling watch, despite it being a marquee tie on paper.
Inter Milan vs Napoli tip: Inter Milan to win & under 3.5 goals
