AC Milan and Napoli cross paths for the third time this season. Both teams were happy to avoid the big teams in the Champions League draws, and they have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals. Stefano Pioli would be more focused on the Champions League, with other competitions far from their reach.
AC Milan dropped points at home in the Italian Serie A for the second consecutive game in the goalless draw against Empoli. The Rossoneri are now 22 points behind the league leaders, and the best they can get is a top-four finish. AC Milan scored only one goal over two legs in the last 16, but that was enough to get them past Tottenham Hotspur.
Napoli got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Leece. They have a good chance of breaking their silverware drought this year, and they almost have the league title sealed. The Parthenopeans had a more convincing display in the round of 16 as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on aggregate to reach their first-ever quarterfinals.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | UEFA Champions League 2022-23 Playoffs, Quarter-final (1st Leg) |
| 🏟️ Venue: | Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano, Italy |
| 🗓️ Date: | 12 April 2023 |
| ⏰ Time: | 7:00 p.m. GMT on Wednesday |
AC Milan has met Napoli twice this season, and they were the underdog in both games. The bookmakers still have them as the underdogs here despite the home advantage. A win for the Rossoneri is worth 2.75 (7/4), while Napoli is slightly priced as favorites at 2.62 (13/8). The draw was set at the highest odds – 3.2 (11/5).
The Rossoneri haven’t played in the semi-finals for a long time, and their odds of reaching the last four are pegged at 2.25 (5/4), while a bet on Champions League semifinals qualification for Napoli is lower at 1.57 (4/7).
AC Milan did just enough in the group stage to reach the knockouts. They had some shaky moments and had to secure qualification on the final day, but 10 points from six games saw them finish second in the Champions League Group E. AC Milan had their defense to thank as they edged past Tottenham Hotspur with a 1-0 aggregate victory in the last 16, but they would need more from their attack in the quarter-finals.
Napoli had one of the best group-stage campaigns of the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 season. The Parthenopeans won five out of six matches in the group stage, and the only time they dropped points was against Liverpool in a 2-0 defeat at Anfield. Napoli made lightwork of Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16, scoring five goals against the Germans to take their goal tally to 25 goals in eight games.
Napoli’s biggest loss of the season came earlier this month against AC Milan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. It was the Rossoneri’s second consecutive away win against Napoli, but the Parthenopeans have more wins in their last five meetings.
AC Milan: DWLDD
Napoli: WLWWW
Napoli is a stronger team than AC Milan, both on paper and with their performances in Serie A this season. They would feel hard done by the result last time and are searching for a second win away to AC Milan this season. The Parthenopeans have won four of their last five games, while AC Milan has won only one of their last five matches in all competitions, and their scoring has been very poor.
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza is a happy hunting ground for Napoli recently, and they have won on all their last three trips to this Stadium. Luciano Spaletti’s team have been brilliant in the Champions League this year, scoring almost double the amount of goals AC Milan has managed. Backing Napoli to get an advantageous win or draw here is among the best available options in this match.
These are very low lines for betting on corners, and both teams are averaging over five corners per game, which should be enough to see this game end with eight corners or more. There was a total of 14 corners in the last game between Napoli and AC Milan less than two weeks ago, and the playing style of both teams can produce at least eight corner kicks in this game. This is a very valuable bet for punters looking to bet on club football odds other than match outcomes.
Kvaratskhelia Khvicha is one of the young sensations in world football right now, and he is a key part of this brilliant Napoli team. The Georgian forward has seven goals and assists in six Champions League games for Napoli, and he also has a good output in the domestic league. A bet on Kvaratskhelia Khvicha to get a goal contribution in this game has very valuable odds from the bookmakers.
AC Milan is without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had a relapse after his return from the international break. Stefano Pioli is expected to lineup in his 4-2-3-1 formation with Olivier Giroud up top in the absence of the Swede.
Victor Osimhen’s participation in this tie is in doubt after he failed to receive the medical green light. The Nigerian striker has been vital for Napoli this season, and the Parthenopeans would be expecting more from Giacomo Raspadori or Giovanni Simeone in his absence.
The UEFA Champions League returns this week with the quarterfinals, and there are very exciting offers from the bookmakers. You can get the best out of this game by using our expert betting tips and predictions.
