Inter Milan host Napoli on Saturday in a highly anticipated Serie A third-matchday fixture between two ambitious sides that have both undergone significant changes during the summer transfer window.
Africafoot’s pre-match assessment sets out the expected starting line-ups for the meeting at San Siro, with both clubs aiming to remain competitive at the top end of the Italian championship.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan have seen several important players leave during the off-season, including Denzel Dumfries, Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij, Matteo Darmian and Yann Sommer. Davide Frattesi and Kristjan Asllani have also departed.
The Lombardy club have responded by strengthening their squad. Manuel Akanji has joined on a permanent basis, while Ivan Provedel, John Stones, Djed Spence, Aleksandar Stankovic and Curtis Jones are also among the additions listed.
Spence remains a doubt for Saturday’s match. Inter can, however, rely on captain Lautaro Martinez in attack. Francesco Pio Esposito has started the team’s opening games and has already contributed one goal and one assist after two rounds of the league season.
Marcus Thuram is still working his way back to full fitness and remains in a recovery phase. In midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu has made an impressive start, scoring twice in the opening two matches and emerging as one of Inter’s players in form.
The expected Inter Milan line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Ivan Provedel
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Alessandro Bastoni, Benjamin Pavard
Midfielders: Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andy Diouf, Piotr Zielinski
Forwards: Lautaro Martinez, Francesco Pio Esposito
Napoli
Napoli have also reshaped their squad over the summer as they seek to remain involved in the title race. The Italian champions have a combination of experienced players and attacking options capable of influencing a match at key moments.
For the trip to San Siro, Napoli are expected to call on their principal senior players to meet the challenge posed by Inter Milan. Squad depth and the experience of players accustomed to high-profile matches could prove important at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
The expected Napoli line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Alex Meret
Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Benoit Badiashile, Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera
Midfielders: Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne
Forwards: David Neres, Rasmus Højlund, Noa Lang
The match will be Napoli’s fixture for the third round of the Italian championship, with Inter Milan hosting the reigning champions in what promises to be one of the weekend’s most significant Serie A games.
The 1xbet prices quoted ahead of the match make Inter Milan favourites, with a home victory listed at 1.63. A draw is priced at 3.80, while Napoli are offered at 5.50 to win.
