Saturday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona brings a heavyweight Serie A showdown between last season’s top two, as defending champions Napoli host in-form Inter Milan. Both sides are level on 15 points, setting up an early test of their Scudetto credentials.
Napoli Overview
Antonio Conte’s Napoli are looking to steady the ship after a bruising European setback. The champions suffered a heavy 6-2 loss at PSV Eindhoven in midweek after previously falling 1-0 to Torino in Serie A.
Despite their struggles, the Azzurri remain formidable at home, unbeaten in 15 league matches at the Maradona since last December and victorious in all three this season. Conte will demand a response against his former club, though a mounting injury list threatens to blunt Napoli’s attack.
Inter Milan Overview
Inter arrive in Naples brimming with confidence after seven consecutive victories across all competitions. Cristian Chivu’s side brushed aside Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in the Champions League and have looked every bit the title contenders domestically, scoring freely while boasting one of the league’s tightest defences.
The Nerazzurri have won six of their last seven away games and will relish testing themselves against the champions.
Team News
Napoli’s forward options are thin, with Romelu Lukaku sidelined and Rasmus Hojlund battling a thigh issue. If unfit, Lorenzo Lucca will again lead the line alongside Matteo Politano, who has a habit of scoring against his former club. Amir Rrahmani and Stanislav Lobotka remain unavailable, leaving Billy Gilmour to anchor the midfield.
For Inter, several starters return after midweek rotation. Marcus Thuram is still out injured, meaning Ange-Yoan Bonny could again partner Lautaro Martinez, who has five goals in past meetings with Napoli. Former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski is expected to start on the bench.
Predicted Lineups
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Gilmour; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Lucca
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Bonny, Martinez
Head-to-Head
Inter have lost just once in their last 13 meetings with Napoli (W6, D6). However, each of the past three encounters finished 1-1, reflecting how finely balanced this rivalry has become.
Quickfire Stats
- Napoli have scored five of their six home league goals after half-time.
- Inter have scored exactly once in nine of the last 11 meetings.
- None of Inter’s seven Serie A games this term have been level at half-time (HT: W5, L2).
Match Info
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Kickoff: 17:00 (WAT)
Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples
Competition: Serie A
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
What’s at Stake
For Napoli, this is about reclaiming pride and stability after a turbulent fortnight and reaffirming their home fortress as the foundation for their title defence.
For Inter, victory would mark a statement of authority, proof that Chivu’s evolving side are ready to dethrone the champions and seize control of the Scudetto race.
