Mansion Sports – The clash between Napoli and Inter Milan stands out as one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of Matchday 8 in the 2025/2026 Serie A season. 

The encounter will take place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 18:00 local time.

This matchup is more than a battle of pride between two Italian powerhouses — it is a crucial fixture in the heated race at the top of the Serie A standings. 

With only three points separating the league’s top five teams, every match now carries significant weight. 

In that context, this weekend’s meeting between Napoli and Inter Milan could become a decisive turning point for both clubs — whether to maintain their momentum or to rediscover their winning form.

Before the match kicks off, here is Mansion Sports’ prediction for the Napoli vs Inter Milan 2025 lineups.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Napoli

For Napoli, this fixture arrives at a challenging moment. Following a disappointing defeat to Torino in Serie A and a 6–2 humiliation against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League, the pressure is now firmly on head coach Antonio Conte. 

These consecutive losses have exposed Napoli’s defensive vulnerabilities and the recent drop in their attacking efficiency.

Conte faces a daunting task as several key players remain unavailable. Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Højlund are still recovering from thigh injuries, while Stanislav Lobotka is sidelined due to muscle issues.

The absence of this trio has disrupted Napoli’s balance, particularly in their transition play from defense to attack.

Now, Kevin De Bruyne will shoulder the creative responsibility in midfield. His vision and experience will be vital in orchestrating Napoli’s offensive plays and providing opportunities for Matteo Politano and Lorenzo Lucca in the forward line. 

However, failure to secure points in this crucial fixture could see Napoli’s position at the top of the table threatened by rivals such as Inter, AC Milan, and AS Roma. 

Conversely, a victory against Inter could serve as the much-needed catalyst for a resurgence under Conte’s leadership.

Inter Milan

Meanwhile, Inter Milan arrive in Naples brimming with confidence. Under Cristian Chivu, the Nerazzurri are currently enjoying a remarkable run of seven consecutive wins across all competitions. 

They recently defeated AS Roma 1–0 in Serie A and dominated Union SG 4–0 in the Champions League.

Inter’s consistency and tactical balance have been key to their success this season. The team’s ability to combine aggressive pressing, efficient squad rotation, and lethal attacking transitions has made them one of the most formidable sides in Italy. 

Young French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has particularly stood out, registering three goals and three assists so far. He is expected to continue his partnership with Lautaro Martínez in the attacking duo.

Chivu will likely revert to his full-strength lineup after rotating players in midweek. Federico Dimarco, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nicolò Barella, and Manuel Akanji are all expected to return to the starting eleven. 

With their solid defensive structure and balanced midfield, Inter appear well-equipped to extend their winning streak.

In their last five encounters, Inter hold the advantage with two wins and three draws against Napoli — a record that further strengthens their belief in securing another positive result at the Maradona.

Predicted Lineups for Napoli vs Inter Milan 2025

Below is the predicted starting lineup for both sides in this highly anticipated Serie A clash:

Napoli (Formation 4-3-3)

Napoli are expected to field an attacking 4-3-3 formation despite several injury absences. With Lukaku, Højlund, and Lobotka unavailable, Conte is likely to rely on high pressing and midfield creativity to control the tempo of the match at home.

Inter Milan (Formation 3-5-2)

Despite missing Tomas Palacios, Marcus Thuram, and Matteo Darmian, Inter still boast impressive squad depth. 

The presence of Çalhanoğlu and Barella in midfield provides a perfect balance between creativity and intensity, while the attacking partnership of Bonny and Lautaro Martínez poses a major threat to Napoli’s fragile defense.

Closing Thoughts

The Napoli vs Inter Milan 2025 encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona promises a spectacle of top-tier football, tactical discipline, and fierce competition. 

Napoli will be desperate to restore confidence and bounce back after two consecutive defeats, while Inter will aim to maintain their flawless winning streak.

With two tactically astute managers — Antonio Conte and Cristian Chivu — on the sidelines, the match is expected to be highly intense from the opening whistle. The question remains: Who will emerge victorious? Will Napoli rediscover their rhythm at home, or will Inter continue to assert their dominance at the top of Serie A? 

The answers will unfold under the lights of Naples in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the weekend.