The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium is all set to feature a highly anticipated match between Italian champions Napoli FC and FC Barcelona. As the Italian champions prepare to host FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Round of 16, fans across the world are awaiting the match with great anticipation.
Spanish club FC Barcelona are not in their best form. They are now eight points behind the table topper, Real Madrid. It will be difficult for them to challenge for the league title. In addition, Barca boss Xavi Hernandes, under tremendous pressure, has confirmed that he will leave the team at the end of the season.
However, Barcelona are still alive in the Champions League. Xavi’s all concentration is now in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Napoli have been struggling since the beginning of the season. Although they won the league title the previous season after ages, they are not in the form as they were last year. The defending champions are now even out of the top four, standing in 9th with 36 points.
Stats & Facts
- Barcelona have a very strong record in European competitions against Napoli FC. Barcelona have never lost a match in their four meetings with Napoli, winning two and the remaining two games ended in a tie.
- Napoli’s last meeting with Barcelona was in the 2019-2020 campaign in the Champions League. Napoli lost this match by a 4-2 margin.
- Barcelona’s recent records in the UCL against Italian clubs are poor. They have failed to win a single of their previous three meetings, including three defeats, with the Italian clubs in this competition.
- Barcelona have won only ten of their last knockout stage games in the UEFA Champions League. The last time they won a knockout game was in 2019 when they defeated Manchester United by a 1-0 margin.
- In the knockout stage, Barcelona have failed to score in six of their last ten games.
Team News
Napoli star striker Victor Osimhen was out of the team due to his international duty in the AFCON Cup with Nigeria. However, the goal machine is finally back and ready to play tonight against FC Barcelona. As a result of Osimhen’s return, Giovanni Simeone is likely to stay on the bench. However, Juan Jesus is eligible to play tonight after a one-game suspension.
As for FC Barcelona, they will miss the service of Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, and Ferran Torres due to their respective injury, while Joao Felix is still in doubt.
Possible Lineup for Napoli:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Possible Lineup for Barcelona:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Roque
Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Barcelona
Napoli’s biggest drawback this season is they are continuously failing to do well against big clubs. They have failed to win against AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio, AS Roma, Torino, and many more. Therefore, the chances are high that FC Barcelona will be the winner of this match.
Betfair Odds
Napoli: 2.88
Draw: 3.52
Barcelona: 2.46
Visit BFB247 to get real-time Betfair Odds and an exclusive 2.5% commission on winning bets!
