Napoli v Real Madrid Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 7th March 7.45pm
There could still be a bit of life left in this tie because Napoli have been a good home side this season and they won’t give this tie up without a fight, you can be assured of that. They bagged an away goal in a 3-1 loss at the Bernabeu in the first leg so they do have something to build on and the Spaniards haven’t been rock solid at the back for some time. Real Madrid take some toppling as they have lost only one of their last 21 UEFA Champions League games and go as favourites for this one. But they will face a tough contest in Naples and an early goal from the home side would probably unsettle the visitors.
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Napoli v Real Madrid Betting Tips
Can the Italians mount a comeback in this one? They do sound confident ahead of the game and they do have an away goal on their side after a 3-1 defeat out in Spain in the first leg. Will that come into play? Napoli won Group B to get through to this stage and they are looking for their first ever place in the quarter finals of the competition. The last time that they made it to the round of sixteen they faced Chelsea and after a 3-1 home win in the first leg, they were overturned in a 4-1 loss at Stamford Bridge in the return game after extra time. They have been a pretty strong home side in Europe, having lost only one of their last 20 European home fixtures in an immense record (W13 L6), but that defeat did happen in this season’s group stage. Napoli have lost their last two two-legged ties against Spanish opposition, most recently in last season’s UEFA Europa League against Athletic Club.
Overall, the home form that Napoli have going against Spanish sides reads an unbeaten W2 D4 L0. However, it has been a rare occasion that they have managed to overcome a first leg away deficit though in European knockout ties. Napoli have managed to win just three of 11 UEFA ties in which they lost the first leg away and have gone out of UEFA competition on each of the previous four times they have lost the first leg of a Last 16 tie. Across UEFA competition on the last three occasions that a side has lost a first leg 3-1 away, that side has managed to progress. So there’s a little hope for them. Dries Mertens is in great form and is a 5/4 anytime goalscorer option with Arkadiusz Milik at the same mark. Over 3.5 goals at SkyBet is a pice of 11/10.
Napoli to have to push their case in this one which could leave them a little vulnerable at the back. Real Madrid are in cracking Champions League form having gone unbeaten in their last eleven in the competition (W6 D5). So they are going to be tough to knock off their perch. They have a comfortable advantage that you can see them hanging on to. They have gotten through their last eight UEFA ties in which they have won the first leg as well in the round of sixteen. Real Madrid have won just one of their last nine Champions League away games in Italy but that did come when they went to Roma last season. Madrid have gone W4 D4 L1 in their last nine away games in the competition and both teams to score at SkyBet will return you a quote of 4/9.
Real Madrid are currently on a 44 match scoring streak in all competitions. Karim Benzema has netted in each of his last four UEFA Champions League games and is top scorer in the competition for them this season with five goals. He can be backed at a price of 10/11 in the SkyBet anytime goalscorer market and Cristiano Ronaldo is 8/11 favourite there. However, Ronaldo is on a five match goalless streak in the competition though so hasn’t been his usual clinical self. Real Madrid are unbeaten in their seven games in the competition then this season and just need to avoid a defeat by anything bigger than a two goal margin. Real Madrid’s away form against Italian clubs is W5 D8 L18 which isn’t great at all. They have gone through 44 of 57 European ties after having won a first leg on home soil though.
Napoli v Real Madrid Betting Odds
Real Madrid 11/8, Draw 11/4, Napoli 9/5
Napoli v Real Madrid Predictions
Napoli have been a very good home side this season and will give the Spaniards a good run for their money in this one. Real Madrid have looked a bit shaky at the back recently and have conceded a fair chunk of goals and expect them to ship in this one. But then again Real Madrid don’t exactly lose very often so look for them to get out with a comfortable draw which sees them move through to the quarter finals.
