Milan UCL hopes stand in the way of Napoli title ambitions

WINDHOEK, JAN 23 – Round 21 of the 2018/19 Serie A season features a heavyweight battle between Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium on Saturday night, with the hosts looking to boost their UEFA Champions League hopes and put in a dent in the visitors’ title ambitions.

Make sure to take your front row seat to the best football action in Italy on DStv and GOtv.

Napoli, under manager Carlo Ancelotti, came though a major test last weekend when they defeated Lazio 2-1 at home to remain in contention for the Scudetto. The Neapolitans can only hope leaders Juventus take their eye off the ball (especially when the UEFA Champions League resumes next month) and give the Naples side some hope of closing the gap.

Milan, meanwhile, continue to search for consistency and identity under manager Gennaro Gattuso. However, the loss of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain (who was on loan from Juventus but will now be joining Chelsea for the remainder of the season) is a big blow to their ambitions and one that they must quickly shrug off if they are to challenge for a place in Europe next term.

Log leaders Juventus face a tricky trip to Rome to face Lazio, who will still be stinging from their defeat to Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo last weekend. Massimiliano Allegri’s side will be all too aware of the danger posed by Le Aquile, but they have the nous and firepower to come away from the Stadio Olimpico with all three points in the bag.

Lazio’s hated rivals Roma, who boosted their top-four hopes in the last round, face a tough trip to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo to face an in-form Atalanta. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have won their last two Serie A matches by a combined scored of 11-2 and will be itching to prove that they are genuine contenders for a Champions League berth with a win over the Giallorossi.

Elsewhere, Internazionale will be looking for a return to winning form (following a disappointing goalless draw with Sassuolo last weekend) when they face Torino in a Northern derby, Gervinho will be aiming to continue his fine form for Parma when they host SPAL, and Bologna and Frosinone will meet for a relegation six-pointer at the Stadio Renata Dall’Ara.

Key match stats

Lazio v Juventus – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 60
Lazio wins 15
Juve wins 33
Draws 12

Milan v Napoli – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 35
Milan wins 10
Napoli wins 12
Draws 13

Torino v Internazionale – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 31
Torino wins 4
Inter wins 17
Draws 10

Serie A fixtures, 26-28 January
All times CAT

Saturday 26 January
16:00: Sassuolo v Cagliari – LIVE on SS8 & SelGo5
19:00: Sampdoria v Udinese – LIVE on SS8/SS10, Max 360 & SelGo2/SelGo5
21:30: Milan v Napoli – LIVE on SS8 & SelGo5

Sunday 27 January
13:30: Chievo v Fiorentina – LIVE on SS8 & SelGo5
16:00: Bologna v Frosinone – LIVE on SS5 & Max360
16:00: Atalanta v Roma – LIVE on SS8/SS10, Max 360 & SelGo2/SelGo5
16:00: Parma v SPAL – LIVE on SS11
19:00: Torino v Internazionale – LIVE on SS8, Max2 & SelGo5
21:30: Lazio v Juventus – LIVE on SS8, Max2 & SelGo5

Monday 28 January
21:30: Empoli v Genoa – LIVE on SS8 & SelGo5

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