A potential Serie A Scudetto showdown takes place at San Siro on Sunday, as AC Milan take on Napoli.
The Rossoneri went into the weekend a point adrift of league leaders Inter, having been held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Udinese last time out.
Luciano Spalletti's men are a further three points behind in fourth, although have suffered three defeats and recorded just one victory in their last six league fixtures.
Ahead of the game, GOAL brings you everything you need to know, including how to watch, team news, odds and more.
Game | AC Milan vs Napoli |
Date | Sunday, December 19 |
Kick-off time | 7:45pm GMT / 2:45pm ET |
TV channel, live stream & how to watch
BT Sport 1 is showing AC Milan vs Napoli live on TV in the United Kingdom (UK) and the game can also be streamed live online using the BT Sport app.
UK TV channel | UK online stream |
|---|---|
BT Sport 1 | BT Sport app |
In the United States (U.S.), CBS Sports Network is broadcasting the game live on TV. Alternatively can also be streamed live on Paramount+.
U.S. TV channel | U.S. online stream |
|---|---|
CBS Sports Network | Paramount+ |
Team news & squads
Position | Players |
|---|---|
Goalkeepers | Maignan, Tatarusanu |
Defenders | Calabria, Ballo, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Kalulu, Tomori, Kjaer, Florenzi, Gabbia |
Midfielders | Bennacer, Castillejo, Tonali, Krunic, Bakayoko, Saelemaekers, Kessie |
Forwards | Giroud, Ibrahimovic, Diaz, Rebic, Rafael Leao, Maldini, Junior Messias, Pellegri |
Simon Kjaer, Davide Calabria, Ante Rebic, Rafael Leao and Pietro Pellegri are all ruled out due to injury, although Olivier Giroud should be back in contention after returning to training.
Predicted AC Milan starting XI: Maignan; Hernandez, Romagnoli, Tomori, Florenzi; Kessie, Tonali, Krunic, Diaz, Saelemaekers; Ibrahimovic.
Position | Players |
|---|---|
Goalkeepers | Ospina, Meret |
Defenders | Malcuit, Costa, Juan Jesus, Mario Rui, Rrahmani, Di Lorenzo, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Manolas, Zanoli |
Midfielders | Demme, Elmas, Ruiz, Zielinski, Ounas, Lobotka, Zambo-Anguissa |
Forwards | Osimhen, Lozano, Mertens, Politano, Insigne, Petagna |
Victor Osimhen is hoping to make a surprise return to the squad after resuming training following surgery on multiple facial fractures, although Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui and Eljif Elmas are unavailable.
Predicted Napoli starting XI: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Rrahmani, Malcuit; Demme, Anguissa, Lozano, Zielinski, Politano; Mertens
Betting odds & tips
Milan are favourites to beat Napoli at 5/4 (2.25) with bet365. At 21/10 (3.10) to win, Napoli are considered outsiders.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the 3/1 (4.00) favourite to be first goalscorer, while Dries Mertens is priced at 11/2 (6.50) to grab the opener for the Partenopei.
Napoli are unbeaten in six Serie A away games against Milan, with three of the most recent four resulting in draws. Odds of 5/2 (3.50) could therefore prove tempting on this clash finishing up all square.
Recent results & form
AC Milan last five results | Napoli last five results |
|---|---|
Udinese 1-1 Milan (11/12/21) | Napoli 0-1 Empoli (12/12/21) |
Milan 1-2 Liverpool (07/12/21) | Napoli 3-2 Leicester (09/12/21) |
Milan 2-0 Salernitana (04/12/21) | Napoli 2-3 Atalanta (04/12/21) |
Genoa 0-3 Milan (01/12/21) | Sassuolo 2-2 Napoli (01/12/21) |
Milan 1-3 Sassuolo (28/11/21) | Napoli 4-0 Lazio (28/11/21) |
Although relieved to rescue a point thanks to a last-minute Zlatan Ibrahimovic equaliser, last weekend's draw at Udinese saw Milan surrender top spot to rivals Inter.
Having won just one of their last three home games in the league, they face a difficult battle to move back into pole position when they face a Napoli team that have not lost a league away game in this fixture since December 2014.
Indeed, victory here would see Luciano Spalletti's team leapfrog the Rossoneri in the standings, although their recent league form does not bode well.
The Partenopei have taken just five points from the last available 16 in the league, suffering successive defeats against Atalanta and Empoli coming into this clash.
With both teams missing some key players due to injury, a tight and tense affair looks likely as they look to protect their respective Scudetto hopes.