In the two games he’s overseen since his return to the club, Mazzarri appears to have inspired his side in the final third, as they have looked more composed and clinical in front of goal. Against Atalanta, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Eljif Elmas grabbed the goals in a 2-1 win, despite them having just four shots on target during the game.

In the Champions League in midweek, Napoli were again devastating at times, grabbing a couple of goals away at Real Madrid with Giovanni Simeone and Frank Anguissa on target. It’s a far cry from the performances seen under Garcia and they certainly look to have that cutting edge we saw last season, helped by the return of Victor Osimhen up top.

Inter Milan can probably count themselves lucky not to have conceded a few more goals than they have this season. Having shipped just seven goals in the league, it might encourage the hosts that their expected goals conceded is actually 8.8. Benfica scored three in midweek and Napoli are fancied to score at least once during this game.

While there has been a marked improvement from an attacking perspective, there are still defensive fractures that Mazzarri will need to address, especially against a potent strike force that contains Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, and it’s difficult to see them shutting out the visitors who have scored 30 goals in just 13 games.

Predictions:

🥅 Over 0.5 Napoli goals @ 1.29

⚽ Both teams to score @ 1.60

No team has taken more shots this campaign than Napoli as they have racked up a mammoth 227, which is an average of 17.46 per game. The same goes for shots that have hit the target with 73 working the opposition goalkeepers, which equates to an impressive 5.62 per game. There is every reason to suggest they get a few chances here.

Although Inter Milan have the best defensive record in the league, giving up just 118 shots and just 32 on target all season, Napoli have a renewed vigour and will look to the returning Osimhen to unlock the door. The Nigerian averages 1.40 shots on target per game and will be hungry to get back among the goals following his recent spell on the sidelines.

Inter Milan are enjoying plenty of success this season as a new partnership between Martinez and Thuram continues to blossom. While it’s been Martinez that has taken centre stage, leading the leagues goal scoring charts with 13, the influence of Thuram can’t be underestimated and he’s fancied to have a big game up front for the visitors.

The French international has already scored four goals in Serie A and provided six assists, while also finding the net in this season’s Champions League. Thuram averages just over three shots per game and 1.18 on target. With the pace and power he possesses, he will certainly trouble the likes of Natan and Amir Rrahmani in the Napoli back line.

Predictions:

🎯 Victor Osimhen to have 1+ shot on target @ 1.25

🎯 Marcus Thuram to have 1+ shot on target @ 1.44

Napoli lead the league in terms of possession stats with an average of 58.50%. With home advantage they are likely to see the lion’s share again here, despite playing against the best side in Serie A. With more possession comes more opportunities for set pieces and this is where Napoli tend to flourish, especially when it comes to corner kicks.

With the way in which the hosts normally set up, they are primed to win plenty of corners, something which is clearly reflected in the league’s statistics this season. Napoli have amassed an eye watering 87 corners in their 13 matches (compared to just 67 for Inter Milan), and they lead the division in this area by some margin, averaging 6.69 per game.

With Kvaratskhelia often hitting the byline, and with overlapping runs from the full back areas, in particular on the right side with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, it’s easy to see why this is the case. Interestingly, the last two games Inter Milan played here, Napoli won the corner match bet (4-1 and 4-2) and they are expected to do well again here.

It’s more than conceivable that the home side win at least four corners during the game, as they have done in the last two head to heads at this venue. With Mazzarri bringing more attacking flair to the side, that could increase to five or six and that’s the sensible play. They are also taken to win more than their opponents, so are taken on the match bet.

Predictions:

🚩 Napoli to have the most corners @ 1.91

🚩 Over 3.5 Napoli corners @ 1.30

🚩 Over 4.5 Napoli corners @ 1.65