AC Monza - Napoli predictions and free betting tips [07/04/2024]

On Sunday, 7 April within the scope of the Italian Serie A's 31st tour, "Monza" will host "Napoli" on their home ground. In the event of a victory, they could catch up with the "Partenopei" amassing 45 points in the league table, which would also heighten the underdog's hopes of finishing in the European cup zone; whereas the visitors are undergoing a rough patch, losing four consecutive matches.

Monza

"Monza" is playing in the top division for the second season in a row and is at arm’s length to avoid relegation. At the moment, the Lombards hold a respectable 11th place in the Serie A league table and still stand a slight chance of landing into the European cups. The team has lost just 2 out of the last 9 national championship matches, winning 5 times and breaking even twice. After victories over "Genoa" (2:3) and "Cagliari" (1:0), the red and whites failed last weekend, succumbing 1:0 to "Torino", where team captain Matteo Pessina was sent off midway through the second half. Nevertheless, Raffaele Palladino's charges have won four out of the last six duels - as much as in the last 16 previous tours. "Monza" also triumphed in three of the last five home matches, overall grabbing the 10th rank in the home victories chart.

Among the red and whites, the regular forbears Bettella and Vignato, forward Caprari and defender D'Ambrosio are still missing. Furthermore, key midfielder Pessina is suspended, and veteran Papu Gomez continues to serve a long suspension. On the other hand, midfielder Bondo comes back into the fold after a suspension. Attacking midfielder Daniel Maldini (3 goals and 1 assist in the last 7 tours) has been in phenomenal form since joining this winter and is expected to start, as well as the experienced Colpani (7 goals and 4 assists). Among the goalkeepers who have played at least 20 matches in the current Serie A campaign, Michele Di Gregorio is ranked second for save rate (80%).

Napoli

This season, "Napoli" has failed to live up to fan expectations and is most likely not going to make it to the Champions League. The reigning Italian champions currently hold the 8th place in the Serie A league table, with a 3 point lead over their rivals. Only 45 points bagged after 30 tours – the last time such a small amount of points at this stage of the championship was in the distant 2010. The unsatisfactory results have led to two coaching resignations since autumn (Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri were sacked), and under the guidance of Francesco Calzona, the "Partenopei" started off nicely, going 5 tours without a defeat in the championship (2 wins and 3 draws). In March, the white and blues even managed to beat "Juventus" (2:1) and drew with "Inter" (1:1). However, last weekend the visitors suffered a heavy loss from "Atalanta" (0:3).

In the meantime, the visitors secure the fourth place in the overall standings considering their away performances: 23 points bagged from 15 outbound clashes, 24 goals scored, 15 conceded. "Napoli" won't be able to count on their key winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (10 goals and 4 assists), who returned from the Georgian national team training camp injured. In his place could line up Italian Raspadori (4 goals and 3 assists) or winter newcomer Ngonge. Mateo Politano (6 goals and 5 assists) and Victor Osimhen (11 goals and 3 assists) should also take their places in the attacking trio, with Jens Cajuste and Piotr Zielinski being responsible for reliability in the midfield.

Head-to-Head

In the previous three meetings of these teams, each side has secured one victory, with the December clash in Naples ending in a goalless draw.

Prediction for the Monza – Napoli match

This season in Serie A, "Monza" is not far behind "Napoli" in terms of results and can confidently aim for points on their home ground. The fact is, the visitors are in a crisis, having failed to secure a victory in four consecutive matches and losing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to injury. The hosts have already upset many favourites on their home pitch, so I'm confidently betting on a handicap for the red and whites 1.