Napoli vs. Inter Milan betting picks ahead of Saturday’s highly-anticipated clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Two of Serie A’s top-tier squads do battle in hopes of raising their stake as Scudetto contenders. Read on for our free Serie A match preview, predictions, analysis, and soccer betting picks.
SSC Napoli vs. FC Inter Milan
Saturday, February 12, 2022 – 12:00 PM EST at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Separated by a mere one point, the Serie A’s first and second place teams battle this weekend when league leaders Inter Milan visit fellow Scudetto hopefuls Napoli.
Following a loss in the Milan derby last Saturday, Inter must secure a win or a draw over Napoli to secure the Serie A’s top-placed position.
Form, Mentality, Serie A Odds and Trends
- Inter Milan hasn’t lost at half-time in their previous 16 Serie A meetings
- Inter Milan is undefeated in 42 of their last 45 Serie A fixtures
- Inter Milan is unbeaten in 6 consecutive Serie A away games
- Napoli has won 4 straight games
- Napoli is undefeated in 29 of their last 33 Serie A encounters
- Napoli has scored at least 2 goals in their previous 3 Serie A matches
Scudetto Race Resumes
The Serie A winter months saw Simone Inzaghi’s squad separate themselves from any serious contenders for their 1st place league position. However, the dawn of 2022 has provided a different set of results. When Inter lost 2-1 in the Milan derby, their league dominance was deflated to a one-point separation from both AC Milan and their Saturday opponents Napoli.
While a game in hand does provide a potential 3-point boost, Inter’s robust defense of 2021 has been compromised in recent weeks, as both teams have scored in 5 of their previous 7 fixtures. And the Nerazzurri schedule isn’t going to assist their title defending chances.
After the Napoli meeting has concluded, Simone Inzaghi’s men will face a Champions League knockout clash with Liverpool before two legs in the Coppa with Milan arrive.
Napoli’s quest to dethrone the Italian champions was postponed when injury and illness plagued their squad during the winter schedule. Luciano Spalletti’s squad has returned to fitness and won four consecutive Serie A games.
Maintaining 3 clean sheets from their previous 4 meetings has also reinforced their reputation as one of the most challenging defenses to breach, as they’ve conceded the least number of goals in the Serie A 2021/22 season thus far (16).
Close Encounter, No Room for Goals
When two of the league’s most impressive defenses go head-to-head with title implications in place, we should anticipate a low-scoring encounter despite the 3-2 final score in the reverse fixture earlier this term.
With that said, Inter has shown defensive frailties of late, and Napoli’s 5-2 loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia proves their defense can be penetrated. While I expect a tight affair, expecting both teams to score is a viable betting position.
Final Thoughts | Serie A Betting Picks and Odds
It’s difficult to side with either team and although both managers will want to claim all three points, I can visualize a drawn fixture playing out and AC Milan slipping into 1st place unnoticed.
As the visiting team with a trustworthy first-half record, I like the plus money value on the first 45 minutes resulting in a draw. And despite my prediction landing on the draw market, I believe the attacking prowess of each team will score at least one goal apiece.
Soccer Pick: Halftime Draw (+120) at Bet365
Soccer Pick: Both Teams to Score (-152) at Unibet
Correct Score Pick: 1-1 (+620) at Bet365
