Preview for Napoli v Inter
Two of the Scudetto favourites clash tomorrow with Inter visiting Napoli.
It has been a difficult week for Napoli, who hoped to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Torino when they took on PSV in the Champions League in midweek.
It did not go to plan. Napoli were thrashed 6-2 in Eindhoven with coach Antonio Conte questioning the club’s summer recruitment in the immediate aftermath.
“It’s definitely disappointing. When these situations happen, they never happen by chance,” Conte told Sky. “Last year we won the league with just a few players. They outdid themselves by being compact and staying united as a team. This year we have more games and brought in more players.
“Nine (signings) was too many for me but we had to do it. There’s no need to despair.
“We’ve a lot of work to do. We have to try to recreate the chemistry that we had last year. When you bring nine new faces into a dressing room, it’s going to take time.”
Despite the lack of harmony, Conte’s side have made a solid start to the defence of their domestic crown. They sit third, level on points with Inter, and one point behind leaders AC Milan.
Tomorrow’s contest will be a good indicator as to how the rest of the season could pan out. Win and much of the midweek narrative will disappear. Lose and the cracks that Conte has a habit of creating may get wider.
Inter are in a more serene place despite an underwhelming start under new boss Cristian Chivu.
They have won their last seven competitive games and regained the swagger that saw them reach the Champions League final season.
Chivu and Conte have previous and there will be plenty of eyes on the touchline as well as the pitch tomorrow.
The last time they met was when Chivu was in charge of Parma at the end of last season. Both coaches were dismissed after a heated verbal joust.
Team News for Napoli v Inter
Alex Meret is set to return in goal for Napoli while Conte will be hoping on-loan Rasmus Hojlund is passed fit after missing the PSV game due to a thigh strain.
Chivu rested some big names for the midweek win at Union SG but they will return for the trip south. His main dilemma is who partners Lautaro Martinez in attack. Ange-Yoan Bonny should get the nod.
Predicted line-ups for Napoli v Inter
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Gilmour, Anguissa, De Bruyne, Politano, McTominay; Hojlund
Inter: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Dimarco, Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan; Bonny, Martinez
How to watch Napoli v Inter: TV and online streams
Napoli versus Inter kicks-off tomorrow at 5pm UK time. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream it on DAZN or the discovery+ app.
You can also watch it on the bet365 app.
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Stats for Napoli v Inter
Prediction for Napoli v Inter
Form suggests Inter will claim a vital three points but Naples is not an easy place to win.
A draw probably suits both sides.
Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Inter
An alternative view
Our friends at the Italian Football Podcast have also previewed the game.
Watch it in full here: