Napoli and Barcelona will clash Thursday in the knockout-round play-offs for the Europa League title, in a contest usually in the Champions League with kickoff at 8:45 pm.
The Spanish club Barcelona made it to this competition for the first time since 2004, following a third-place finish in a group of Champions League teams comprising Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv.
Barcelona, who occupy 4th position in the Spanish top flight, are fifteen points behind league leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid.
On the other hand, Napoli finished second in their group in the Europa League, although they were level on points with Spartak Moscow.
In Serie A, the club is engaged in a tight race for the league title. Its nearest rivals are AC Milan and Inter Milan, who are currently in 3rd and 2nd place.
Napoli is in fine form heading into the match, having gone unbeaten in six league games, with four wins and two draws.
Moreover, despite not being able to stamp their dominance in the group stages of this tournament, Napoli has been impressive in recent games and has improved its away form.
The host’s recent form, including a 4-2 thrashing to Atletico Madrid, belies their losses to Real Madrid and Athletic Club, along with a narrow win against Alaves that was secured thanks to an 87th-minute winner.
Barcelona vs Napoli Head to Head
Both sides have four games against each other, with hosts taking three wins while visitors winless. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona
- Barcelona 4-2 Atletico Madrid
- Deportivo Alaves 0-1 Barcelona
- Athletic Club 3-2 Barcelona
- Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid
Away
- Napoli 1-1 Inter
- Venezia 0-2 Napoli
- Napoli 4-1 Salernitana
- Bologna 0-2 Napoli
- Napoli 2-5 Fiorentina
Barcelona Team News
Dani Alves was not included in Barcelona’s Europa League squad, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his full Barcelona debut on Thursday. Gerard Pique will miss the game against Napoli after being sent off on Sunday. Ronald Araujo was also injured in the same game and is not expected to play.
Napoli Team News
Manchester United’s youthful defender Axel Tuanzebe has been left out of Napoli’s Europa League squad. Matteo Politano was expected not to be fit for Barcelona after pulling a muscle during Inter 1-1 Napoli match.
Prediction and Odds
Napoli’s average combined scoreline in all their group matches to date is four goals per game. Therefore expect at least three goals from this fixture.
- Napoli Win
- Asian Handicap
- Goals Over 2.5
