Camp Nou sets to host one of the fiercest knockout stages matches for the weekend. This will see side Barcelona take on side Napoli for the UEFA Champions League. The match schedules for Saturday with kickoff at 4 pm.
The first leg of the Champions League fixture ended in a 1-1 draw. With both sides sharing spoils, it will be a heated contest to make it to the quarter-finals. Barcelona has a history of the knockout stages, while Napoli’s current form is worrying.
Barcelona had to swallow a bitter pill as the side lost the La Liga title to rivals Los Blancos. The loss culminated after a series of unimpressive performances since the lockdown. The future of Coach Setien remains in doubt with possible replacements lining up for the summer.
The Catalan Giants are currently unbeaten in 35 UEFA Champions League matches on home soil. This has further not lost in any of their last 15 fixtures against an Italian side. This has ended in three draws and twelve victories.
Napoli also has had another disappointing season managing to end seventh in Italy’s top flight. The side witnessed a managerial change during the transition with Coach Gatusso coming in to salvage the matter.
The 4-3 aggregate comeback by Liverpool in the previous year run is still fresh in the minds; the side will be looking for redemption.
Barcelona vs. Napoli Head to Head
Both sides have only met twice with Barcelona picking one win and one match ending in a draw. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Alaves 0-5 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-1 Osasuna
Vallavoid 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol
Villarreal 1-4 Barcelona
Away
Napoli 3-1 Napoli
Inter Milan 2-1 Napoli
Napoli 2-0 Sassuolo
Parma 2-1 Napoli
Napoli 2-1 Udinese
Barcelona Team News
A lot of doubts are on central defender Samuel Umtiti after an injury-filled season. The Frenchman is out with a knee injury with the Catalans willing to move him on. Other unavailable figures this Saturday include Rakitic and Arturo Vidal. Ousmane Dembele returns to field training but is a doubt to feature for the side.
Napoli Team News
Kostas Manolas is out of the clash after picking a rib injury. Gattuso will be hopeful that winger Insigne can shake off a thigh problem ahead of the trip to Camp Nou. Another doubtful figure ahead of the clash is Maksimovic with a knee injury.
Prediction and Odds
Both sides have been struggling this season, and we expect a close game with both sides able to pull a win.
Barcelona Win
Both Sides to Score
Goals Under 2.5
