Napoli vs Inter Milan
Coppa Italia
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2020
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Stadio San Paolo, Napoli
Napoli could be boosted by the return of key defender kalidou koulibaly for Thursday's match. The central defender is back in training after a thigh injury and could make a comeback, per Football Italia.
Gattuso's improving side have lost just once in their last nine games under their new manager and head into the match on the back of three straight Serie A victories:
Defense will be the key on Thursday and Napoli have a good record in the competition, keeping clean sheets in the last two home matches Coppa Italia against Lazio and Perugia.
The Partenopei also kept clean sheets in four of the last five meetings Coppa Italia with Inter, and another on Thursday would guarantee them a place in the final.
Gattuso has made it clear how he wants his team to play:
However, Inter had a bag of guns, with striker Lautaro Martinez set to return from suspension and take its place alongside Romelu Lukaku in the attacks;
Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also should return to the starting XI for the first time since January after suffering a hairline fracture to a finger.
Inter have struggled against the top sides this season, losing to Lazio, Napoli and Juventus and were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League.
However, they have the quality to turn this game around and it will be a fresh team after seeing Sunday's Serie A clash with Juventus was postponed because of concerns coronavirus.
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NAPOLI
Napoli won their fourth win in five games at home to Torino on Saturday and also have won seven of their eight home matches in the Coppa Italia, even though they have not reached the final since 2014.
Star kalidou koulibaly defender returned to training this week after missing the last three games with a thigh injury, but coach Gennaro Gattuso may choose not to take the risk of him also with an important match coming in Serie A and the Champions League.
attacking duo Fernando Llorente and Amin Younes Torino doubt having missed the match because of illness, so that both Arkadiusz Milik or Dries Mertens will lead the line, while January signing Diego Demme is likely to be drawn in midfield which has rested at the weekend.
Internazionale
last two Serie A Internazionale has become a victim of the coronavirus that their last two games are their two victories over Ludogorets in the last 32 of the Europa League, and they traveled to Naples behind a goal despite having more than 60% possession in the first leg three weeks ago.
Samir Handanovic is expected to return in goal having missed the last six games because of a finger injury, which will welcome boost for coach Antonio Conte, but the midfield pairing Stefano Sensi and Roberto Gagliardini remains sidelined.
Conte is expected to make several changes from the team which started the second leg against Ludogorets last week, with the likes of Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Ashley Young and Marcelo Brozović all in line to return to the starting line-up.
Napoli vs Inter Milan prediction
Gennaro Gattuso has done an outstanding job with Napoli in February. The only defeat came against Lecce at this stadium. Additionally, Napoli reached five wins in six matches, defeating Cagliari, Brescia, Torino and Sampdoria.
Dries Mertens magic 'in the UEFA Champions League play-off duel against Barcelona was not enough to gain some advantage before traveling to Spain. The first leg match ended without a winner 1-1 FT.
Napoli played three matches in the Coppa Italia this season. They did not concede a single goal, and all the meeting ended down 2.5 FT.
Inter Milan has managed to recover from two losses back-to-back to Napoli and Lazio. They are still in the title race is active in Serie A and try to reach the final stage of the Europa League.
Are there a lot of room to worry about the cup? We do not think so.
This would not be the end of the world for Inter if they are knocked out here, while the Coppa Italia is the best chance to win a trophy this season for Napoli.
We support a home victory at the great price of 2.55. As an alternative, Napoli to keep a clean sheet at 3.50 is need to take the bet value, supported by a small stake.
Napoli vs Inter Milan Bet Tips
Home win @ 2.55
YES Napoli clean sheet @ 3.50.
