Prediction: Napoli vs Liverpool

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365

The Champions League returns once again this week, with a handful of cracking games already taking place last night. Alas, we’re all about looking ahead to the future, with a big game going down tonight between Napoli and Liverpool. While they aren’t two of the obvious choices to win the UCL title this season they’re certainly dark horses, and that’ll suit them both just fine. Their journey to the top is going to be interesting, though, and one of them could take a big knock with a loss tonight.

Napoli

Napoli’s rise back to prominence in Italian football has been a great thing to see from the perspective of a neutral, but it’s obvious that they’ve got a few clear goals they haven’t been able to reach lately: going far in the Champions League, and pipping Juventus to the Serie A title. Both are very realistic goals and while it may take them a while to get there, we feel as if they’re closer than they ever have been before. The squad they possess is capable of big things, and it’s just a case of piecing it all together.

Team News

Amin Younes and Vlad Chiriches have both been ruled out through injury, but aside from that, they should have a fully fit squad ahead of a big game in the context of their season.

Liverpool

Some people felt as if Liverpool would fall back out of relevancy in the wake of their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. They’ve continued to grow as a squad under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, and while their main focus may be capturing the Premier League title for the first time, another trip to European football’s biggest game certainly doesn’t seem outside the realms of possibility.

Team News

Divock Origi and Virgil van Dijk will both be included in the squad despite initial fears over their fitness, and in terms of up top, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Daniel Sturridge is awarded a start.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Stadio San Paolo.
• Napoli drew their opening Champions League game 0-0 against Red Star Belgrade.
• Liverpool defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in their Champions League opener.
• Napoli have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Liverpool have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.

Conclusion

Playing away from home is tricky at the best of times, but when you’re going against an in-form Napoli side, it becomes all the more difficult. The Reds need to implement their attacking prowess from the first minute of the game, otherwise, there’s a chance they could get overwhelmed by the Italians. The crowd will be on their feet throughout the course of the 90 minutes, and while we believe Liverpool have the potential to win the game, we’re predicting a 1-1 draw between two of the Champions League’s finest.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365