Napoli to Struggle Without Higuain?

Napoli started life without top goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain, with any away trip to newly promoted Pescara.

However, it was the defending of the Napoli team, which was brought into question, as Pescara opened the scoring in the first half and could easily have made it two, not long after. However, with ten minutes to go before half-time, Pescara got their second, with a well worked goal. Napoli threw on Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milik in the second half and it was the Belgian who came to the rescue, to seal a point for Napoli, with two goals.

AC Milan are still living off their illustrious past and could really do with a good season, to restore faith in their supporters. The opening match of the season, in the San Siro against Torino, gave them the chance to do just that. Striker, Carlos Bacca struck just before half-time but Torino equalised at the start of the second half. However, it was that man Bacca again, who completed his hat-trick, with just over 30 minutes to go but there was late drama, when Torino got one back in injury time and then saw a last gasp penalty saved, with six additional minutes on the clock.

LEAGUE: Italian Serie A

GAME: Napoli vs AC Milan

LOCATION: Stadio San Paolo

DATE: Saturday 27/8

TIME: 20:45

In 30 meetings between the teams, since 1993, AC Milan have won 10 games, with Napoli winning 8 and 12 ending in a draw.

Tips

We have looked closely at the following aspects of this match, which offer good betting value:

• Both Teams to Score
• Result and Both Teams to Score
• Winning Margin

Defending Needs Work

If there is one thing both teams can take from their first match of the Serie A season, it’s how well they did going forward. Napoli left it late but still scored two goals, away from home and AC Milan scored three against Torino. However, there is work to do for both teams at the back and each of them could easily have conceded more than two goals.

Game Tip: Both Teams to Score – Yes is 1.85 at 888sport

Napoli Make Use of Home Advantage

Although Milan will travel to Naples with three points in the bag, facing Napoli on their own turf is a much tougher prospect than Torino at the San Siro. Napoli will be determined not to allow the sale of Gonzalo Higuain to over-shadow their season and will be desperate to put on a good how, in their first home match of the season. You have to go back to May 2015, to find the last time Napoli lost at home in Serie A and they were undefeated at home throughout all of last season.

Game Tip: Napoli to Win and Both Teams to Score is 3.55 at 888sport

Milan Struggle to Keep Napoli Out

With home advantage, expect Napoli to get on the front foot from the first whistle and put Milan under pressure. If Napoli can score an early goal, it will make life extremely difficult for Milan, who will pose a threat with Carlos Bacca in attack but may struggle to get good service to the Colombian striker. Napoli will want to make Stadio San Paulo a fortress again this season and could secure a good win over Milan, to get their season going.

Game Tip: Napoli to Win by 2 Goals is 4.75 at Ladbrokes