Napoli Vs Barcelona
Tuesday 25th February 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Napoli or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 22nd February 2020 at 20:20)
Preview: Italian club Napoli are into their sixth knockout phase in the UEFA Champions League, but have never made it further than the Round of 16. Five-time winners Barcelona stand between them and creating some personal history – so, can a raucous San Paolo inspire the Naples outfit to a precious first-leg victory?
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Table of Contents
Napoli Preview – Partenopei back competing again under Gattuso?
Around the time of the draw for the last-sixteen, Napoli were enduring a period of turmoil. Results had taken a serious turn for the worse and would subsequently cost Carlo Ancelotti his role as manager. The relationship between owner and squad also became sour once fines were implemented, owing to a series of unacceptable performances from a playing collective seemingly sapped of all confidence and in a state of disarray.
Gennaro Gattuso can be a divisive figure for some. However, there can be no questioning his impact since replacing Ancelotti. Friday’s 2-1 win at Brescia a fourth win in the last five Serie A games and would lift the Partenopei back up to sixth place. Among those victories was an exceptional team display at home to Juventus, beating the perennial champs of Italy 2-1. There were also wins over Lazio and Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia, with their record over the last nine competitive games W7 L2.
It is a remarkable turnaround. Immediately written off and discounted as soon as this draw was announced. Now they have returned to something resembling their former selves. Napoli are not simply winning matches again, they are back competing especially in the crunch encounters versus the best teams. Qualification was straightforward enough in the end, progressing out of Group E unbeaten after six rounds (W3 D3) whilst having taken four points off defending champions Liverpool. The latter nullified in Naples when sensationally beaten 2-0.
Barcelona Preview – Too fickle on their travels to be trusted?
In 2014-15, when Barcelona claimed the most recent of their five Champions League titles with a front three that comprised of Neymar, Suarez and Messi, few could have foreseen six barren seasons without another. Yet here we are. And for the first time in a long while, the club from Catalonia are not at the forefront of the outright betting – considered only the fourth most likely side to lift the trophy before the Round of 16 got underway this time last week.
Of course, it doesn’t aid your cause when there is a bizarre tendency to go missing outside of Spain. According to data specialists Opta, Barcelona would win only one of their past eight knockout round encounters on the road (W1 D2 L5) – that a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Man Utd last season. Scoring only twice and conceding 17. That simply isn’t good enough for a club harbouring genuine aspirations of winning the whole thing.
The Catalans would deliver some accomplished performances on their travels during this season’s group phase, though, comfortably topping Group F ahead of Borussia Dortmund as they dropped just four points (W4 D2). The latter being the only team Barca failed to beat away from home, having dispatched of Inter Milan and Sparta Prague with 2-1 scorelines. Ernesto Valverde overseen this period but has since been replaced by a manager with no prior experience of the competition: Quique Setien.
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Napoli Vs Barcelona Betting Summary
Both approach this first-leg in positive frames of mind, which should mean we are treated to a competitive first 90 minutes in Naples. There were legitimate concerns this wouldn’t be so once the draw was made, with Napoli enduring a steep decline in performances at the time, but the team is back to winning ways again – doing so in seven of the last nine in all competitions. That includes Friday’s 2-1 win away to Brescia.
Napoli Vs Barcelona – Key Facts
- Napoli are without a home defeat in the Champions League for seven games (W5 D2).
- Barcelona managed one win across their previous eight away matches during the knockout phase of this competition (W1 D2 L5).
- This will be a first competitive meeting between the two sides. Barcelona have, however, lost on four of their previous five visits to Italy in the Champions League knockouts (D1 L4).
Confidence is also high in the Barcelona camp. Or at least it should be after regaining top spot in La Liga with their fourth consecutive league win at the weekend. However, the Catalans have a truly awful record on the road in the CL knockouts (one win from last eight). Moreover, Opta tells us they have lost on four of five previous visits to Italy in said matches. Even their away record in La Liga this season is far from watertight at W5 D3 L4, failing to keep an away clean sheet in the past seven league and cup outings.
Best Betting Odds for Napoli Vs Barcelona
Napoli – 12/5 (Betfair)
Draw – 13/5 (BetVictor)
Barcelona – 6/5 (Bet365)
