Napoli vs Barcelona Match Analysis and Prediction

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Napoli prepare to welcome Barcelona to the Stadion Diego Armando Maradona for the second leg of their Europa League playoff clash on Thursday.

Taking part in their first match in the competition, Barcelona’s inaugural Europa League tie was heading in the wrong direction but Zielinski put home the opener at the secong attempt after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s initial save.

However, Barcelona were awarded a penalty after Adama Traore’s ball struck the hand of Juan Jesus, and Ferran Torres converted the spot kick to level the result.

In previuos Europa League competitions, Napoli would have the upper hand in this tie, but the abolition of the away goals rule means that it is all to play for on their own turf.

Fixtures with Lazio and AC Milan follow the second leg for Napoli, who are still in with a real shot at Calcio glory and are looking to avoid being eliminated from the Europa League at this stage for the fourth time in seven seasons.

Napoli have a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions ahead of Thursday’s contest, but a tally of just two victories from their last six at home is not a good receord against a new-look Barcelona outfit.

Following an early exit from the Champions League, Barcelona surely cannot afford being knocked out at this stage of the competition, especially considering their already volatile financial situation.

Had they been a little more clinical on their home turf, the Catalan champions would have taken a first-leg advantage to Naples, but there was no such lack of brutality to show at the Mestalla, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick and Frenkie de Jong’s effort sunk Valencia 4-1.

That 4-1 victory in La Liga marked Barcelona’s fifth game on the bounce without defeat, and they have scored in every of their matches since the turn of the year.

Napoli vs Barcelona head to head

The two sides have previously met on 7 occasions across all competitions, where Barcelona are leading with 4 victories while Napoli have won once, and they have drawn in 2. Napoli have scored 5 goals and conceded 16. In their last five meetings, Barcelona have won in three and they have drawn twice.

Barcelona 2-1 Napoli 08/08/19

Napoli 0-4 Barcelona 11/08/19

Napoli 1-1 Barcelona 25/02/20

Barcelona 3-1 Napoli 08/08/20

Barcelona 1-1 Napoli 17/02/22

Napoli latest home form

Napoli have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They recently lost 5-2 to Fiorentina after extra time in the Coppa Italia. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two.

Napoli 0-1 Spezia 22/12/21

Napoli 1-0 Sampdoria 09/01/22

Napoli 2-5(E) Fiorentina 13/01/22

Napoli 4-1 Salernitana23/01/22

Napoli 1-1 Inter Milan 12/02/22

Napoli latest away form

Napoli have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They recently picked up a 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored 7 goals and conceded 3.

Juventus 1-1 Napoli 06/01/22

Bologna 0-2 Napoli 17/01/22

Venezia 0-2 Napoli 06/02/22

Barcelona 1-1 Napoli 17/02/22

Cagliari 1-1 Napoli 21/02/22

Barcelona latest home form

Barcelona have recently been on a relatively good form at home, having lost just once of their four most recent matches. They recently recorded a 1-1 draw against Napoli in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two in the process.

Barcelona 1-1(P) Boca Juniors 14/12/21

Barcelona 3-2 Elche 18/12/21

Barcelona 2-3(E) Real Madrid 12/01/22

Barcelona 4-2 Atletico Madrid 06/02/22

Barcelona 1-1 Napoli 17/02/22

Barcelona latest away form

Barcelona have recently been on a good form on the road, as they have lost just one of their nine most recent matches. They recently lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao after extra time in the Copa del Rey. In their last five away matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded 7.

Granada 1-1 Barcelona 08/01/22

Atheletic Bilbao (E)3-2 Barcelona 20/01/22

Alaves 0-1 Barcelona 23/01/22

Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona 13/02/22

Valencia 1-4 Barcelona 20/02/22

Napoli news

Giovanni Di Lorenzo will be absent with a head injury he sustained in the game against Cagliari, while his replacement Kevin Malcuit left with a calf issue and will also be unavailable.

Matteo Politano, Hirving Lozano, Lorenzo Insigne, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka are also absent for the contest.

Barcelona news

Dani Alves and Gerard Pique both served domestic suspensions at the weekend, although only Pique is eligible for the Europa League.

Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti and Alejandro Balde will all miss out, while Barcelona have fresh issues over Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong after early substitutions against Valencia.

Prediction and Odds

Napoli are currently having injury issues in their final third. However, playing at home, they are still capable of troubling Barcelona’s shaky backline.

This contest could come as a tough European outing for Barcelona, but Xavi’s options in attack should help them to secure a victory in the second leg tie.

Odds: 1 2.55 X 2.05 2 2.20