Napoli vs AC Milan prediction, odds and preview

First-time quarterfinalists Napoli and seven-time champions AC Milan square off again on Tuesday for a spot in the Champions League semi-finals following a closely contested matchup last week.

This month’s league match between the two Italian heavyweights ended with Milan winning 4-0, and they are now leading Naples by one goal.

The Capocannoniere leader even managed to hit the crossbar during a quick cameo, but his teammates have only scored twice in their last four games, which is drastically different from their prior production; for example, Napoli is the Champions League’s top scorers.

In fact, they have won all four of their games at the Maradona this season and have gone undefeated in their last 12 home games in the highest club league in Europe. They have also scored at least three goals in each of those victories.

Spalletti and company are still on track to win a first domestic title since 1990, despite an almost inevitable drop following such an accumulation of both goals and victories, but making it to the Champions League semifinals would be a first for one of Calcio’s most illustrious clubs.

But on Saturday, a significantly altered starting lineup extended a troubling run of outcomes in Serie A, with Milan’s victory against Napoli marking the lone home triumph since February.

In the interim, Pioli has watched as both Udinese and Fiorentina defeated his squad, while Salernitana, Empoli, and currently-in-form Bologna managed to hold them at bay. At Stadio Dall’Ara, Tommaso Pobega’s decisive goal saved them from going down early and kept them barely ahead of Inter in the standings.

Milan generally excels in international play, and despite their difficulties during a poor championship defense (they lie 22 points behind Napoli in the Serie A standings), their occasionally fragile defense has not allowed a goal in their last five Champions League games.