Betting tips for AC Milan vs Napoli: Champions League preview and odds
Our betting expert has three AC Milan vs Napoli tips for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the San Siro (8pm kick-off). Scroll down to see the expert analysis behind his selections.
AC Milan vs Napoli betting tips
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Milan trip a test for runaway league leaders
In an enticing all-Italian Champions League quarter-final first-leg showdown on Wednesday, rivals AC Milan and Napoli clash at the San Siro.
The Neapolitans are the dominant force in Serie A this season as they close in on the Scudetto, so Milan will be hoping to dent the visitors’ hopes of what would be a famous European and domestic double.
There are 22 points separating leaders Napoli and the fourth-placed AC in the league, but the Rossoneri did inflict a shock 4-0 defeat on Luciano Spalletti’s side in Naples at the start of the month, so this Champions League showdown is expected to be very competitive.
First legs at this stage of the competition can often be cagey, with both sides fearing losing and being out of contention come the second game.
So backing a draw at 11/5 seems a wise move. Napoli are well capable of holding Milan at the San Siro and the hosts are difficult opponents on home soil, having not lost any of their previous five games in front of their own fans.
Before the 4-0 drubbing that Milan dished out recently, the four previous meetings between the two sides were settled by just the one goal, and this first leg can follow a similar pattern with a closely fought game predicted.
Milan are approaching the match in average form. The win at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium is their only success in their past six outings in all competitions.
In contrast, that defeat for Napoli, who are 16 points clear of Lazio at the top of the table and appear certain to be crowned champions over the next month, is their only loss in their last five, with victories registered in the other four games to underline their stunning consistency this season.
Milan boss Stefano Pioli heavily rotated his first team for the weekend 0-0 home draw against Empoli with this bigger game in mind. It could be difficult to separate these two at the San Siro, especially as Napoli have to contend with the continuing absence of prolific striker Victor Osimhen, who has not recovered fully from a thigh problem.
The Nigerian has scored 25 goals all told this term, including four in this competition, but has been ruled out of tonight’s tie. That is a big blow to the visitors, and significantly boosts the hosts’ hopes of avoiding defeat.
AC Milan vs Napoli tip 1: Draw @ 11/5 with Betfair
Leao a major threat for Milan
Portugal forward Rafael Leao has been impressive of late for Milan and took his goal tally to the season to 11 in all competitions when he grabbed a brace in the win over Napoli in the league.
He has netted once in Europe this term, away from home in the 4-0 group success over Dinamo Zagreb in October. He should be fairly fresh and ready to go for tonight’s showdown after starting the Empoli game on the bench, although the 23-year-old did feature for the final 20 minutes.
AC Milan vs Napoli tip 2: Rafael Leao to score anytime @ 16/5 with Betfair
Georgian wonderkid among Napoli’s rising stars
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a revelation this season for Napoli with the Georgian scoring 14 goals and picking up 16 assists in all competitions so far.
The 22-year-old has four assists in the Champions League, playing a key role as Spalletti’s men have racked up seven wins from their eight games in Europe, and he looks good value at 4/1 to lay on a goal against Milan.
Kvaratskhelia got an assist in the round of 16 when he set up Giovanni Di Lorenzo for the second goal in the 2-0 away win in the first leg and he is likely to be a key creative force for the visitors again on Wednesday night.
AC Milan vs Napoli tip 3: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to assist a goal @ 4/1 with Betfair
AC Milan vs Napoli odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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