Inter Milan vs Napoli preview

April 25, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Inter vs Napoli 2-4In-form Inter Milan aim to all but secure their Europa League berth by defeating Napoli and at the same time put extra pressure on fourth-placed Fiorentina.

Meanwhile, the Azzurri don’t have much to play for at the moment, although they hope to enter the Coppa Italia final in the best possible spirits.

For all the problems Walter Mazzarri and his men have experienced this season, chances are that club officials will be quite satisfied with a top 5 finish.

Even if the squad are set to undergo a major rebuilding in the summer, the Nerazzurri have reason for optimism, with the boss already having some very good players at his disposal.

Inter have struggled for consistency of late, with three points from four league games placing their Europa League berth in danger, but the team then produced two excellent performances on the road to cement the fifth place in the standings.

Following away triumphs over Sampdoria and Parma, the Nerazzurri will want to finally rediscover their home form, with Walter Mazzarri’s charges 2.30 (13/10) favourites to beat Napoli.

The boss faces a real defensive headache seeing as how Walter Samuel and Rolando are suspended and Juan Jesus missed out through injury.

Fredy Guarin should be recalled to the starting line-up after securing the victory at Ennio Tardini, but Ricky Alvarez remains on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic – Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Andreolli – D’Ambrosio, Hernanes, Cambiasso, Guarin, Nagatomo – Palacio, Icardi.

Unlike their next opponents, Napoli cannot be entirely satisfied with how this season has panned out despite securing Champions League qualification and qualifying for the Coppa Italia final.

Following some impressive displays last term and heavy summer recruitment, everybody at the club was hoping the Azzurri would be able to mount a serious title challenge in Serie A, but they instead sit 22 points behind leaders Juventus.

The team also crashed out from both Champions League and Europa League, and had Fiorentina been at full strength, their top 3 berth would have probably been in danger as well.

With the Coppa Italia final clash against Viola scheduled for next weekend, the Azzurri will want to win at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, but I am not sure if there is value in odds of 3.50 (5/2) offered on away win.

Napoli have experienced all sorts of problems on the road this term, and having won just three of last eleven away matches, they clearly face a tough task against Inter.

Federico Fernandez is banned, whilst Christian Maggio and Rafael Cabral continue to miss out. Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain and Henrique have resumed full training.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Reina – Henrique, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam – Behrami, Inler – Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens – Higuain.

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