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Benitez’s boys on brilliant run, so back Napoli to beat AC Milan

| 14.12.2014
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Despite no win in their last six meetings with Napoli, Coral make AC Milan equal 13/8 favourites with the visitors to the San Siro.

Rafa Benitez’s Neapolitan team are on a sensational run of 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions, and that current form contrasts sharply with the Rossoneri’s, which is a paltry one win in seven.

The last time Milan defeated Napoli (February 2011), their front three consisted of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato and Robinho. Since then, they’ve managed three draws and as many defeats. Two of those instances where the spoils were shared came at the San Siro, and a repeat here comes in at 9/4.

Names available to Filippo Inzaghi are nothing like as illustrious as when he was playing in Rossoneri red and black. He can count on French forward Jeremy Menez, though, who has four in his last four, including three in the previous two home games. Back Menez, then, at 15/8 in the anytme market.

Fellow Milan attacker Stephan El Shaarawy is the only current first-team player with a goal in this fixture for the hosts. He bagged a brace in Naples back in November 2012, with a repeat performance or better priced at 11/1. El Shaarawy is a safer 2/1 to score anytime.

If punters are looking for a proven poacher that will be on show here, then Napoli’s Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain fits the bill. He scored home and away for Benitez’s boys against the Rossoneri last term.

Higuain, who has averaged a goal every other game in Serie A so far, may have been rested recently with this match in mind, after playing a total of around 45 minutes off the bench in Napoli’s last two outings. It could be a tactical masterstroke from Benitez.

Former Real Madrid frontman Higuain is a 6/5 anytime scorer chance, 9/2 to net first, or last, and a 6/1 shot for two goals or more, which is something he achieved in last term’s reverse fixture in February.

Breathing down Higuain’s neck is Colombian forward Duvan Zapata, though, following a run of three strikes in as many matches. Odds of 15/8 say he will net again anytime.

Zapata could line up against compatriot and namesake Cristian in the Rossoneri ranks, and the Napoli forward’s form comes following Jose Callejon’s own purple patch abating.

Neither the home defence nor Napoli’s are particularly impressive, as they have conceded the joint-most goals in the top half of Serie A. Back an away win with both teams scoring, then, at a fabulous 15/4.

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Author

Jamie Clark

Athletics aficionado, die-hard snooker fan and Crystal Palace supporter Jamie has written for Coral since February 2014 after spells with Soccerlens and the Press Association as a digital journalist and copywriter. A former East Midlands sports correspondent and Bwin tipster, he is a graduate of both the University of York and University of Sheffield, with a Masters in web journalism from the latter.