Barcelona vs Napoli Predictions and Betting Tips
Barcelona would be eyeing a first leg advantage when they host Napoli at the Nou Camp for the first leg of their Europa League tie this Thursday. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
Barcelona emerged victorious when European giants were pitted against each other in the UEFA Champions League 2019/2020 Round of 16, beating Napoli 3-1 at the Nou Camp after a 1-1 draw in Italy.
Xavi in the hunt for silverware in his first season
Barcelona are very much out of the LaLiga Santander title race with a whopping 15 points separating them from league leaders Real Madrid. This, alongside their recent Copa Del Rey exit, points to the Europa League as their only means of silverware this season. The Catalans would partake in this competition for the first time following an early exit in the UEFA Champions League exit with Bayern Munich and Benfica securing progression to the last 16. Nonetheless, it is to be noted that head into this game unbeaten in their last three games- which includes a huge victory at victory against Atletico Madrid.
Napoli, on the flip side, head into this game on a steadier ship following their mid-season drop in form. A return of 10 points from a possible 12 has put them right back into the race for the Scudetto with now-league leaders just two points ahead. An inferior head-to-head record against Spartak Moscow in the group stage meant they had to concede the title of group winners to the Russian club and although Barcelona isn't exactly the side they would've hoped form, Spalletti's troops are a tad bit consistent compared to their opponents and this should do a lot to their confidence.
Barcelona vs Napoli Team News
Barcelona possible starting XI:
Ter Stegen: Dest, Pique, Garcia, Alba; F de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Traore, Aubameyang, Gavi
Napoli possible starting XI:
Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Ruiz; Elmas, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen
Barcelona vs Napoli Prediction: 2-1
Barcelona wouldn't exactly have been pleased with their performance last weekend but their performance at the Nou Camp under Xavi has been impressive and we back them to narrowly secure a fist leg victory against Napoli.
