Balotelli, Honda doubtful as Milan look to nix Napoli

Mario Balotelli and Keisuke Honda remain doubtful for AC Milan when the stuttering Serie A giants host on-form Napoli looking to avoid becoming the Partenopei's second big-name victim on Sunday.

It took Napoli four games to secure their first Serie A win this season but, after shaking off the cobwebs with a 5-0 thumping of Lazio, they now have Serie A pundits purring about their scudetto-winning potential.

Napoli humbled champions Juventus 2-1 in clinical fashion at their San Paolo stadium last week when Gonzalo Higuain hit a stunner before setting Lorenzo Insigne up for the winner.

And Higuain was again on target on Thursday night when he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win at Legia Warsaw in Europa League action.

Striker Balotelli is expected to start on the bench, at best, after missing several training sessions this week due to a slight muscle injury while playmaker Honda missed training Thursday with flu.

The only positive note for Milan ahead of Sunday night's clash is the fact that Napoli have claimed only two points from their three away games in the league so far.

Otherwise, Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has plenty to keep him concerned.