Napoli, Group A leaders and winners of their last two games face Ajax again in Naples to secure a place in the Champions League knockout stage this Wednesday with kickoff at 7:45 pm.
A third straight Champions League opponent, Ajax, was dispatched by Napoli last week. The Partenopei came from behind to hammer a shell-shocked Ajax 6-1 in Amsterdam.
In the first half, Napoli found itself 3-1 ahead at the break: Giacomo Raspadori headed home the equalizer before he scored again and then laid on strike by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Another summertime arrival, Giovanni Simeone, netted a sixth late as Napoli swept clear at the top of Group A and truly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in continental competition.
After suffering the team’s heaviest defeat in European competition, Ajax is required to face down the team that dealt out such a drubbing—and there is no time for them to dwell on their misfortune.
They still hold an opportunity for progress from Group A, as they sit only two points behind Liverpool and Napoli after three matches. After scoring against Napoli in the opening match of group play, Ghana striker Mohammed Kudus has scored in all three matches since then. The Dutch giants have not lacked firepower in the Eredivisie either.
Napoli vs. Ajax Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with hosts taking the only win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Cremonense 1-4 Napoli
- Ajax 1-6 Napoli
- Napoli 3-1 Torino
- Milan 1-2 Napoli
Away
- Volendam 2-4 Ajax
- Ajax 1-6 Napoli
- Ajax 1-1 GA Eagles
- AZ 2-1 Ajax
Napoli Team News
Due to injuries, Napoli’s first-choice striker, Victor Osimhen, will likely return to the starting lineup on Wednesday. He will be supported by Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone, who compete for one place up front; either would be supported by Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has scored six Serie A goals already this season.
Ajax Team News
Ajax must now attempt to take points home from Campania without captain Dusan Tadic, suspended following his last week’s dismissal in the second half. The visitors’ danger man is widely agreed to be Steven Bergwijn, who has scored five times in nine appearances this season.
Prediction and Odds
Ajax will take care not to make the same mistakes again and could be a more competitive opponent than last week.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Both Teams to Score
