AC Milan and Napoli meet in Serie A on Saturday at San Siro for a game that both sides desperately need to win.
The hosts find themselves in a lowly 14th place in the table, while Carlo Ancelotti's side have failed to win any of their last five games across all competitions.
Match preview
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For a club that, just 10 years ago, boasted the likes of Ronaldinho, David Beckham and Andrea Pirlo, the current state of Milan represents a truly astonishing fall from grace.
The arrival of Stefano Pioli last month, which came after a run of four successive defeats, makes it eight managers that the club has appointed since sacking of Massimiliano Allegri in 2014.
While a new face often prompts an uptick in results, such has not been the case with Pioli's Milan, who have only managed one win from five games since the Italian entered the dugout.
That Milan have lost seven games already in Serie A this term, netting just 11 goals from 12 games, indicates how the problems go much deeper than the manager.
Indeed, as seen in their recent 1-0 defeat to Juventus, there remains plenty of fight in the ranks, but the lack of tangible style and collective organisation - especially in the final third - is a big concern.
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While Napoli's troubles are in no way comparable to that of their Milanese rivals, there is nonetheless a level of concern at the side's inability to consistently claim results this term.
At a time when Maurizio Sarri's Juventus, normally guaranteed to win the title, are themselves stuttering in their performances, Napoli are not taking advantage.
In 12 games so far this term, Napoli have drawn four times, often in instances where they should have won, such as a stalemate with Genoa last time out during which they conceded a worrying amount of possession.
There is a feeling among the Napoli faithful that, despite Ancelotti's renowned tactical acumen, the speed of their play in the final third does not match up with what supporters at the San Paolo Stadium have come to expect.
However, they will feel that the meeting with a confidence-sapped Milan side could serve as an opportunity to take proper control of a game from the start.
Recent AC Milan form: WDLWLL
Recent Napoli form: WDDLDD
Team News
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Milan have no major injuries ahead of this game and look set to opt for their strongest front three of Krzysztof Piatek, Hakan Calhanoglu and Suso.
However, the home side look set to be without Mateo Musacchio and Samuel Castillejo, with the latter recently picking up a thigh injury.
Napoli will be without experienced left-back Faouzi Ghoulam due to a bruised knee, while striker Arkadiusz Milik could also miss out with a bruised knee.
Ancelotti's only long term injury concern is Kevin Malcuit, whose knee ligament injury is expected to keep him out until April.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Conti, Duarte, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Bennacer, Bonaventura, Rebic; Calhanoglu, Suso, Piatek
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Koulibaly, Maksimovic, Hysaj; Fabian, Zielinski, Insigne, Callejon; Mertens, Lozano
We say: AC Milan 1-2 Napoli
Neither team looks particularly capable of claiming a victory at this moment in time and will most likely indulge in a cagey, unattractive game, but the visitors may ultimately capitalise on Milan's lack of imagination going forward and steal a winning goal.
Leo Nieboer
