Napoli vs AC Milan Prediction 18.12.2025 | Supercoppa Italiana

Napoli enter this year’s Supercoppa Italiana in a fragile state of mind, having first suffered a damaging two-goal defeat to Benfica in Champions League action, only to follow it up with a 1-0 setback against Udinese in Friuli just four days later.

Despite these recent stumbles, the Partenopei remain firmly in the chase for back-to-back Serie A titles, trailing league leaders Inter by just two points. The immediate priority, however, is to restore confidence and get back on track as swiftly as possible.

One of Antonio Conte’s key tasks will be shoring up the defensive line, as Napoli have now gone four consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet — a stark contrast to the six shutouts they recorded in seven previous outings.

First-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret is making steady progress in his recovery but is not yet ready to reclaim his spot between the posts. Meanwhile, a crucial midfield trio — Billy Gilmour, Frank Anguissa, and Kevin De Bruyne — will all miss the trip to Saudi Arabia, leaving Conte to navigate the Supercoppa challenge without some of his most influential playmakers.

After a rather bleak campaign last season, in which AC Milan exited the UEFA Champions League prematurely and finished a disappointing eighth in the Serie A standings, the Rossoneri found solace in lifting the Supercoppa Italiana, emerging victorious in a thrilling five-goal encounter against their city rivals Inter.

Setting aside an early Coppa Italia exit in early December — a 1-0 defeat to Lazio at the Olimpico — Milan embark on their mission to defend the trophy in Saudi Arabia in formidable form. Their collapse against the capital club remains the sole blemish across their last 15 competitive outings, which include nine wins and five draws.

Like their Supercoppa semifinal adversaries, AC Milan will need to tighten their defensive structure, as recent cracks have appeared at the back, allowing lower-table sides Torino and Sassuolo to net twice against them.

Star forward Rafael Leão has been nursing adductor issues, but he is expected to travel with the squad to Saudi Arabia, hopeful of playing a key role in guiding the Rossoneri to the final and mounting a successful defense of their trophy.