Serie A: Napoli’s Biggest Test Comes in Milan

AC Milan vs Napoli

Third takes on first in the Serie A box office clash this weekend when AC Milan host Napoli at a simmering San Siro Stadium. 

It’s a clash between two of Europe’s elite who are in great shape, and the rest of Italy will be taking a close look at the Serie A 2025 updates when the two teams take the field on Sunday night.  

The top flight league table has a familiar look to it, with Napoli, Juventus, Milan, Roma and Atalanta occupying the top five places; but, much to the amusement of Rossoneri fans there is a glaring omission, as Inter Milan are down in tenth place after he first four games. 

Max Allegri’s Milan come into the game on the back of four wins and back-to-back 3-0 victories, over Udinese in the league and Lecce in the Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte’s Napoli have won all four of their Serie A games, last weekend edging out Pisa in a five-goal thriller, so this is a match between two teams which are bang in form.  

We’re still at a very early stage of the Scudetto race but the latest Serie A 2025 betting odds have Antonio Conte’s Napoli is very strong favourites and, while I Nerazzurri are still the second in line, Juventus and Milan are not far behind. So this clash on Sunday will tell us an awful lot about two of the main contenders.   

 

Talking Points

Milan’s schedule is starting to help 

After losing 2-1 to new boys Cremonese, somewhat surprisingly, on the first day of the season, Milan have responded superbly and have been relentless in their next four games; three league wins and a Coppa victory, all without conceding a goal. In his previous spell at AC Milan, Allegri won the Scudetto and I certainly wouldn’t rule out a repeat on his return.     

Milan’s trip to Udinese last week was a triumph for Christian Pulisic who scored twice in a 3-0 win, putting in a man-of-the-match performance, and the USA man’s form is a real boost, alongside the evergreen Luka Modric who has quickly become a Rossoneri favourite. Christopher Nkunku, another new arrival, scored in his debut against Lecce and, while Rafael Leao is doubtful for the visit of the champions, Allegri has a vibrant creative unit. 

But it is in defence where Milan have really shone, with that run of clean sheets I Rossoneri are beginning to resemble Allegri’s serial Scudetto-winning Juventus side when he was the boss in Turin.  With skipper Matteo Gabbia and the Serbian rock Strahinja Pavlic at the heart of defence this Milan back line will take some breaking. 

 

Hojlund is at home in Naples

Following his high-profile transfer from Atalanta to Manchester United, striker Rasmus Hojlund had a torrid time at Old Trafford, as a few players have suffered in recent seasons. And while the Red Devils splashed a whopping £200m on three strikers, who have yet to pull up any trees in Manchester, Napoli came to Hojlund’s rescue; and he seems to be happy to be back in Italy.   

He scored on his debut in the impressive 3-1 win away to Fiorentina, and again in his second league game in the 3-2 win over Pisa, and Hojlund has grown visibly in confidence in the month he has been in Naples. It will help him to join former Manchester United player Scott McTominay, who was one of Napoli’s standout players in their 2024/25 Scudetto-winning campaign, not to mention the service he will get from former Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne.  

It’s good to see Hojlund happy in his game again, and he joins a club bursting with quality and confidence. The four wins this season makes it 16 unbeaten in Serie A and they will do all they can t keep that record going for as long as possible.   

 

History 

In all head-to-head meetings since 2008, Napoli have won 15 to Milan’s 11 and there have been 13 draws, with I Partenopei scoring a few more goals at 54 to 50.  

And in terms of recent form there is nothing to choose. Milan have five wins and a defeat from their last six, that opening day shocker against Cremonese. Napoli too have five wins and one blemish, but that was against Manchester City in the Champions League.   

 

Betting Tip

Both Napoli and Milan featured in our SBOTOP pick of the Serie A summer transfer winners at the beginning of the campaign; and the two clubs appear to have spent well, as their results show. 

At odds of 2.35 Milan are the favourites to win with Napoli at 3.10; but I think this clash has draw written all over it.

   

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