Napoli vs AC Milan

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is the venue as Napoli and AC Milan go head-to-head in a Serie A blockbuster.Rudi Garcia was on the brink of sacking after a 3-1 home defeat to Fiorentina on the stroke of October’s international break left Napoli stranded below the Serie A top four amid an underwhelming eight-game start (W4, D2, L2). However, the return from a two-week pause has brought a change in scenery, with ‘I Partenopei’ demolishing Hellas Verona 3-1 off the back of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s match-winning brace before squeezing past Union Berlin in midweek Champions League action to take a massive step toward reaching the knockouts. Despite their mini-revival, Garcia isn’t off the hook yet, and Napoli’s dreadful home form is a significant part of the problem. The reigning champions have lost three of their last four competitive matches at the Maradona Stadium (W1), which doesn’t bode well for their bid to avenge a three-match losing home league streak versus Milan.On the other hand, Milan headed into the international break as the Serie A leaders, courtesy of afour-game winning league streak, bookended by a narrow 1-0 triumph at promoted Genoa. However, the wheels have fallen off since last weekend’s return, with 10-man ‘Rossoneri’ falling to a 1-0 home defeat to arch-rivals Juventus before going down 3-0 at PSG in midweek Champions League action. As the only goalless side at Europe’s top table, Milan’s chances of reaching the knockouts are minimal, which could be a blessing in disguise. Fights on multiple fronts often take their toll, especially on a side as injury-prone as Milan. Stefano Pioli’s men can draw confidence from winning all four Serie A matches outside their hometown this season, averaging two goals per ga.