Milan v Napoli Betting: Absences at the back should see an open affair

Milan will be hoping to close the gap on Napoli when the two sides come face-to-face at the San Siro in Saturday's high profile Serie A clash.

Four points adrift of their third-placed visitors in fifth position, the Rossoneri are available at 13/5 (3.60) with Betway to close the gap by coming out on top here.

However, Maurizio Sarri's men have lost just one of their last 11 games against this opposition, and are 21/20 (2.05) favourites to move within a point of leaders Juventus with a fourth victory in five meetings between the sides.

Getty Images

Three of the hosts' last five fixtures have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 5/2 (3.50) on them being forced to settle for a single point yet again in this one.

As well as the ongoing battle for Champions League qualification, Vincenzo Montella's team will be desperate for victory in this match in order to avenge a humiliating 4-0 defeat sustained the last time they came up against the guests on home turf.

While their recent record does not make for pleasant reading against the Partenopei, this could be the perfect opportunity to secure a positive result considering the notable absentees in the visiting defence.

With Kalidou Koulibaly and Faouzi Ghoulam both away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and Raul Albiol struggling with injury, a weakened Neapolitan backline may be susceptible to an attack that has struck twice in each of the last two games.

GOAL

However, considering they are missing the influence of centre-back Alessio Romagnoli themselves, the home defence is also unlikely to find life easy as they attempt to contain the league's most prolific attack - with 45 goals to their name in 20 matches.

All things considered, odds of 8/11 (1.73) seem safe on an entertaining encounter producing over 2.5 goals for the sixth time in eight between these teams, as well as Napoli's ninth consecutive game in all competitions.