Inter and Napoli meet in one of the first heavyweight clashes of the new Serie A season. The defending champions are looking to build on a positive start at San Siro.

Bisseck and Thuram pushing for Inter recalls

Cristian Chivu will be happy with how his Inter team have begun the 2026/27 campaign. A 1-0 victory over Cagliari last time out came with summer signings John Stones and Curtis Jones only featuring off the bench.

Those two may need to be patient if they’re to break into this lineup, but Yann Aurel Bisseck will earn a recall in defence for this game. Benjamin Pavard is the player most likely to make way.

Marcus Thuram will also return in attack. The 29-year-old registered 13 goals and six assists in 29 league outings last season. He will be preferred to Pio Esposito as the strike partner for Lautaro Martínez in such a big match. Recent addition Djed Spence is the only fitness concern.

Inter predicted lineup vs Napoli (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Zieliński, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martínez.

Napoli hit by McTominay blow

A 2-1 defeat to Como was a major early setback for Napoli. Summer appointment Massimiliano Allegri is still in the process of figuring out his best lineup and is expected to make changes in Milan.

There was worrying news to come out of Naples this week, with key midfielder Scott McTominay diagnosed with a mild heart issue. He’s set for a corrective procedure and should return after the upcoming international break. Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci are also sidelined.

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the players who could come into the side. The experienced Belgian registered five goals and two assists in Serie A 2025/26, despite missing half of the campaign due to injury.

Napoli predicted lineup vs Inter (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marín, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Højlund, Alisson.

Inter vs Napoli Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Inter to score over 1 goal
  • Odds: 1.3 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Inter 2-1 Napoli
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 32EXS

Key stats:

  • Inter have netted at least once in each of their previous 10 games against Napoli.
  • Chivu’s side were the top scorers in Serie A last term, averaging 2.34 goals per match.
  • Including friendlies, Gli Azzurri have kept just one clean sheet in five fixtures.

Napoli faced 21 shots against Como last time out, and they are clearly not the finished article yet, after just two competitive outings so far under Allegri. With home advantage, backing Inter to score over 1 goal is the smart bet.

Martínez is fresh from a productive World Cup, which saw him score three times for Argentina. He gets good service in this side, particularly from wing-back Federico Dimarco, who is averaging 4.5 key passes per game this term. Including pre-season, I Nerazzurri have netted at least once in each of their previous 19 matches.

Inter vs Napoli Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Both teams to score
  • Odds: 1.95 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: G2DXS

Backing both teams to score offers value at odds of 1.95. That bet has landed in seven of the previous nine Inter games, which include friendlies.

Since the start of pre-season, five of Napoli’s seven outings have also served up goals at each end. All of the past five meetings between these two clubs have done likewise.

Verdict: Inter to score over 1 goal (1.3) — Inter 2-1 Napoli