A watershed moment in the Serie A championship race arrives this Saturday when Napoli entertain league leaders Inter at the Stadio San Paolo. The two sides are divided by just one point - Inter on 57 and Napoli on 56 - and the encounter may prove to be the tie-breaker in the quest to determine the destination of the Scudetto. Both sides go into the encounter seeking to bounce back from recent draws, and the already weighty encounter is bestowed additional weight.
Napoli's dramatic rise from ninth position after last term to genuine title challengers has been supported by a breathtaking ten-match unbeaten run. Their attacking potency is there for all to see, having netted in eleven consecutive games, albeit defensive frailties have conceded goals in their last six matches. The center-forward battle between Napoli's Romelu Lukaku, who has nine goals to his account, and Inter's scorching-hot Marcus Thuram, who has thirteen, is another thrilling angle to this blockbuster match.
Recent history between the two provides additional drama. Inter hold the upper hand with seven victories in their previous fourteen encounters, but Napoli's impressive home record against the Nerazzurri - thirteen victories from twenty-eight at the San Paolo - suggests a tight affair is in store. The average of 2.4 goals per game for the fixture suggests a show to entertain the neutral.
The implications stretch far beyond the present three points. A victory for Napoli would put them at the top and strengthen their arguments to be true title contenders. For Inter, survival at this point may prove to be the difference in their bid to capture the championship. With both sides displaying the other's opposites in their strengths and the title race teetering on the edge, this promises to be the turning point of the Serie A season.
Betting Predictions
Primary bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.20 (value bet)
Secondary bet: Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 1.91
Statistical analysis is strongly indicating a thrilling goal-rich affair between Napoli and Inter, with the numbers committing a strong 74.43% of its chances in favour of over 2.5 goals.
Napoli have been on a staggering goal-scoring run, netting in their last 11 matches, while Inter have been effective away from home, scoring 1.81 goals per game on the road. The statistical history lends further weight to this selection, with these sides having averaged 2.4 goals in their recent meetings. At 2.20, the Over 2.5 goals is superb value based on these tall pointers.
Despite enduring a challenging four-match winless run, Napoli's attack is still potent, particularly at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Inter's scoring record in 11 of their previous 13 away matches reflects their attacking potency on the road, and Napoli's recent defensive frailties - conceding in six consecutive matches - suggest that both teams are likely to penetrate each other's defence.
The combination of Napoli's attacking flair and defending vulnerability, combined with Inter's customary striking prowess, makes each of the recommended selections particularly appealing at the current prices.
Editorial Pick
When you've got a top-of-the-table showdown between the two best teams in the league, it's always going to be close. It would surprise few to see this monumental clash end with the spoils being shared.
