AC Milan vs Napoli: Key Matchup in Serie A as Table-Toppers Clash

AC Milan and Napoli are set to face off in a crucial Serie A match on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the San Siro stadium. This encounter marks the 153rd meeting between the two teams in Serie A, with AC Milan holding 58 wins and Napoli 45, along with 49 draws.

AC Milan, under the guidance of Coach Paulo Fonseca, will be without key players due to suspensions and injuries. Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders are serving their suspensions, while Matteo Gabbia, Tammy Abraham, and Luka Jovic are out due to injuries. Fonseca has made several changes to the lineup, including bringing in Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Filippo Terracciano in the back four. Ruben Loftus-Cheek will play a more advanced role due to Christian Pulisic‘s absence with flu, and Alvaro Morata will lead the attack.

Napoli, coached by Antonio Conte, are currently at the top of the Serie A table with 22 points from their first nine games. Despite a doubt over the fitness of Stanislav Lobotka, Napoli are largely at full strength. The team will likely stick with their 4-3-3 formation, featuring Alex Meret in goal, a midfield trio of Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, and Scott McTominay, and a potent front three that could include Romelu Lukaku, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and either Matteo Politano or David Neres.

The match is significant for both teams, with Napoli aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table and AC Milan seeking to close the gap. Napoli’s recent form has been impressive, with a 100% win rate over their last five games, while AC Milan has shown resilience with four wins out of their last six games.

The game will be broadcast live in Italy on DAZN and can be streamed in the USA through Paramount+. Kickoff is at 7:45 PM local time (CET), which translates to 3:45 PM Eastern Time, 2:45 PM Central Time, 1:45 PM Mountain Time, and 12:45 PM Pacific Time.

Experts predict a tightly contested match, with some favoring a draw given the strong recent performances of both teams. The match will likely hinge on which team can capitalize on early opportunities, given their defensive prowess and ability to control the pace.