With six games to go between now and May, the top five teams in Italy's Serie A are all jostling for to make sure they secure European football for next season. For some teams, like Juventus, as well as likely Napoli, Champions League is all but guaranteed. However, there is still that third placed spot up for grabs, and although it is currently occupied by Roma, both Inter - and to some extent, Fiorentina - have not given up hope in somehow overtaking the Giallorossi to that coveted berth.
Inter
Despite only winning one out of their past three matches, Inter are still fighting to secure Champions League football for the 2016/2017 term. As things stand, the Nerazzurri are definitely guaranteed to feature in continental football, albeit, it will be in the Europa League, but for coach Roberto Mancini, that will not suffice.
And who can blame him? A few months ago, Inter were sitting on top of the league table. In fact, they were just one game away from being crowned "winter champions". Whilst this title does not actually count for anything, it does have an uncanny knack for predicting who ends up being named as champions of Italy in May, and the Nerazzurri saw that slip away as they began to tumble down the table. Since then, they have attempted to right the ship, but have never fully recovered and now sit a whopping 18 points behind Juventus.
This game against Napoli will be vital if they want to have any glimmer of hope in reviving their chase for third place. The Nerazzurri have fared well against the Partenopei at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with nine wins and two draws out of 12 home matches. Moreover, their opponents will be without the services of top goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain due to a ban, meaning that they will not have any better opportunity to pick up three points against a very tough side than in tonight's match.
Napoli
As for Maurizio Sarri's side, they have their own hopes of their own: to somehow catch Juventus at the top of the league table. The Scudetto race indeed appeared to be neck-and-neck until the Partenopei faced Udinese, and everything appeared to fall apart. Not only did they lose 3-1, which allowed Juventus to move six points clear, but Higuain, in a moment of madness, got into a scuffle with the referee and now is serving a long term ban. Although it was reduced, the Argentinan star is still not available for this big match against Inter this evening.
The last time Sarri and Mancini faced off, there quite a bit of controversy - and not just on the pitch. The Partenopei tactician was accused of using homophobic slurs towards his opponent during Napoli's 2-0 defeat in a Coppa Italia match at the Stadio San Paolo. Despite Mancini not being gay, he was rightfully offended by the bigoted remarks, but after some back and forth in the press, it appears that everyone has moved on from that incident.
Just as Inter are keen on catching Roma, Napoli will need to make up some ground of their own. They have, however, hit a snag, especially on the road as of late. In their past four away matches, they have only won once, which is in stark contrast to the 12 points they picked up from their prior quartet, and having being dumped out of the Coppa Italia by the Nerazzurri, Sarri will be hoping that his team can temporarily close the gap on Juve to three with a win in Milan this evening.
Which channel is broadcasting Inter vs Napoli on TV or Online?
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza will be hosting this Saturday evening clash between Inter and Napoli. All eyes will, of course be on the two coaches especially after the fireworks from the Coppa Italia tie earlier this season. It will be a game not to miss for both Nerazzurri and Partenopei fans, as well as general Serie A neutrals alike.
However, if you're too far away to make the trip to Milan, no worries. LiveSoccerTV.com has put together some options to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are some choices for fans residing elsewhere in Italy and in the following countries:
- In the USA at 14.45 EST on: RAI International, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., beIN SPORTS USA
- In Italy at 20.45 CET on: SKY Go Italia, Sky Supercalcio HD, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia
- In the UK at 19.45 BST on: BT Sport Europe, BT Sport Live Streaming
- In Canada at 14.45 ET on: RAI International, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN Sports Canada
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Inter vs Napoli broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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