Tuesday 11th December 2000hrs Liverpool v Napoli Football – Europe – Champions League It seems like an age ago but back in August when the draw for the Champions League group stage was made the popular opinion was that Group C would be the most fascinating, containing Liverpool, Napoli and PSG – and we have not been disappointed. Three points separate those three clubs heading into matchday six and there are many permutations that could come into play depending on the results tomorrow. I’ll try and unpick some of those with the focus being on Liverpool versus Napoli – continue reading for a match preview and selected best betting tip.
Liverpool probably couldn’t have imagined picking up just three more points from matchday two to matchday five having defeated PSG 3-2 at home in the opening group game. But that’s the way it’s panned out and their only other points and victory in the section have come at home to Crvena Zvezda. Expectation was extremely high that Jurgen Klopp’s men would then go on to complete the double over that opponent but they suffered a surprise defeat and it’s that loss in Belgrade which has done major damage to their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. It left them having to travel to Paris and trying to get a result against a powerful PSG team, which they were unable to do. Liverpool now sit third in the table and are three points behind their opponents on Tuesday. Should PSG win in the other match taking place in Group C tomorrow it would leave the Reds needing either a 1-0 win or to win by two clear goals in any other score line. There are other factors that may come into play depending on what happens in the other game but they know anything other than a win would essentially see them eliminated.
Napoli got off to a really disappointing start in this group, or that’s the way it looked at the time when they could muster only a draw against Crvena Zvezda. When their two main opponents were playing each other, you would have expected that anything less than three points to start the group would be a real threat to Napoli’s chances of making it past the group stage but they have recovered well and Carlo Ancelotti’s men are the only unbeaten team in this section. Should that still be the case come full time tomorrow then Napoli will be assured of a place in the knockout stage. Should they do that then it’s an achievement that should not be underestimated considering they have only ever done it twice before in their history (they’ve never made it further than the round of 16). The Serie A club have so often disappointed in this competition and flattered to deceive but the arrival of Ancelotti may well have a lot to do with their performance so far in this year’s Champion League. Home wins over Liverpool and Red Star have been supplemented with that draw in Belgrade and another point in Paris. Do the same in Liverpool tomorrow and Napoli may well be dreaming of their most successful Champions League campaign to date.
Liverpool v Napoli Betting Tip
Napoli were 1-0 winners when these two sides met in Italy back at the start of October but they were superior in every department and the final score didn’t do them justice. Liverpool never registered a shot on target the whole game which illustrates just how disciplined Ancelotti’s men were and that appears to be the biggest difference compared to Napoli teams in years gone by.
Both teams warmed up for this one with 4-0 wins at the weekend in two dominating and impressive performances. It sets Tuesday’s game up perfectly and it’s probably the most anticipated game of them all in this final round of group stage fixtures. Liverpool have won both home games in the group thus far whilst Napoli have yet to win on their travels but they are still yet to taste defeat and performed very well away to PSG. The fact they do not need to win this one should be in their favour, too.
It’s bound to be an electric atmosphere at Anfield on Tuesday night and Liverpool will be hoping that it’s a magical one of them. There is a scenario that could see both qualify if PSG lose their game but the expectation is the Ligue 1 leaders will be too strong. In all likelihood it means one of Liverpool and Napoli will be playing in the last 16.
The biggest strength of both these teams is their explosiveness on the counter but Liverpool have to force the issue her and will look to bombard Napoli from the off. The visitors have shown they can cope with that and should they do that again I think it will be a memorable night for the team from Naples. They’ve been unbeaten in the first games in this group and I’m taking them to get either a draw or win from the trip to Anfield.
Selection: Napoli double chance 69/50 @ Marathon Bet
