Preview: Inter Milan vs Napoli – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

When the Calcio titans meet, the reigning Serie A champions meet Inter Milan and league leaders Naplesas the teams meet at San Siro on Sunday.

The guests are one point ahead of their hosts after their surprising home defeat last week; Meanwhile, Inter have just rattled off three wins in a row, including an impressive result in the Champions League.

Game preview

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Three days later Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in Inter's unconvincing 1-0 win against Venezia, Simone Inzaghi's page Beat Arsenal with the same lead in Milan, leaving them just two points at the top the Champions League table.

In his first appearance since returning from injury, he was a set-piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu Just before half-time he coolly converted a penalty to give the Nerazzurri the lead. With a bit of luck, Inter persistently defended this lead and secured another success.

Having conceded four goals at half-time, they are proving to be a tough nut to crack in Europe's top club competition and appear to be on course for a coveted top eight finish – which would ensure a direct route to the round of 16.

Back on the home front, a Napoli slip-up leaves Inter just a point behind Sunday's opponents the Serie A table and still very keen to defend the Scudetto.

Inzaghi's men have now won eight of their last nine games in all competitions, the only exception being an incredible eight-goal draw against Juventus in the Derby d'Italia.

Having scored in 28 consecutive home games in Serie A – the third-longest streak in Europe's top five leagues – and having lost just one of their last 10 top-flight fixtures against Napoli, Inter can approach the final game before the international break with confidence.

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A week after the humiliating 3-0 defeat against Atalanta BC, Antonio Conte faces another of his former clubs who undoubtedly intend to leave Milan with maximum points.

His previously unstoppable Napoli side had completed a run of 10 league and cup games without defeat before La Dea came to town Gian Piero Gasperini Conte trumped in terms of strategy at the Stadio Maradona.

The Partenopei's first setback since the opening day was only the second time Conte lost at home by a three-goal margin. So while Inter were busy with European football, all thoughts were focused on getting straight back on their feet.

Another defeat would cost Napoli top spot in the table, raising some doubts about their ability to compete in what appears to be an open title race this season.

However, Inter's immediate predecessor as Serie A champions still has a good away record of late: including the win over AC Milan at the San Siro, they kept a clean sheet in four consecutive away games and took 10 points from a possible 12.

Inter Milan Serie A form:

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

Napoli Serie A Form:

Team news

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After surprising some with his team selection in midweek, Simone Inzaghi still has plenty of scope to make another change to the Inter squad Carlos Augusto is unavailable due to injury.

Experienced central defender Francesco Acerbi He recently returned to full training and was an unused substitute against Arsenal, so he may even start this weekend.

Following his part-time job on Wednesday Marcus Thuram is set to return to partner captain Lautaro Martinez. After scoring three goals in his first four league games against Napoli, he managed just one in the next eight games and failed to score in the last five.

Meanwhile, Napoli's front line is led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – the visitors best goalscorer this season – and ex-Inter duo Romelu Lukaku And Matteo Politano.

As Stanislav Lobotka has recovered from a hamstring strain, Billy GilmourAlthough Antonio Conte's criticism has been turned into praise in recent weeks, his place in midfield is somewhat under threat.

Once again, Mathias Olivera And Leonardo Spinazzola will fight for selection as a left-back with captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo starting on the right.

Possible Inter Milan starting lineup:
Summer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku

We say: Inter Milan – Napoli 2:1

The San Siro looks set to be a fascinating duel between two of Italy's best tacticians, where psychology could be as important as skill.

Inter are strong in both departments, while Napoli are still developing – most of their wins have come against weaker teams – and another defeat is on the way.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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