Barcelona vs Napoli Preview
- Tournament – Champions League
- Date – Tuesday, March 12
- Kick-off Time – 08:00 pm GMT
- Venue – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
The two European giants will battle out each other in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 second-leg tie on Tuesday, March 12. In the first leg, we saw both sides play out a 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona.
Barcelona manager Xavi is sweating over the fitness of starters Pedri and Frenkie de Jong who will be unavailable for the return fixture. The Blaugrana are unbeaten in their last eight matches and have managed to keep clean sheets in each of the last three games. With an exit in the Copa del Rey, Xavi’s men will now be focusing on making it to the next round of the Champions League and avoiding this campaign without any silverware.
Napoli, on the other hand, won the title last season but have endured a disappointing title defense in Serie A this season. The Italian side are unbeaten in their last five games since Interim boss Francesco Calzona returned to Naples days before last month’s first-leg tie.
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Barcelona vs Napoli Team News
Barcelona (Credit: Getty Images)
Several first-team Barcelona players are currently sidelined with their respective problems. Both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will be unavailable when they host Napoli on Tuesday night. Ferran Torres, Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso are still sidelined along with Raphinha who is currently struggling with a ankle problem.
As for Napoli, Jens Cajuste and Cyril Ngonge may miss out with thigh injuries while Amir Rrahmani will be out with his own thigh issue after limping off against Juventus in the last game. Midfielder Piotr Zielinski is not eligible as he was not registered for this phase of the competition.
Barcelona vs Napoli Predicted Lineups
Barcelona Predicted XI:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
Napoli Predicted XI:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Traore; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Barcelona vs Napoli Head-to-Head
Tuesday’s meeting between Barcelona and Napoli will be the sixth time these two teams square off in a competitive match.
Last five results:
- Napoli 1-1 Barcelona – UEFA Europa League Round of 16 – February 21, 2024
- Napoli 2-4 Barcelona – UEFA Europa League Round of 32 – February 24, 2022
- Barcelona 1-1 Napoli – UEFA Europa League Round of 32 – February 17, 2022
- Barcelona 3-1 Napoli – UEFA Champions League Round of 16 – August 8, 2020
- Napoli 1-1 Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Round of 16 – February 25, 2020
Barcelona vs Napoli Prediction
Napoli (Credit: Getty Images)
The second leg of the Europa League R16 will be an interesting one as seven-time European Champions Barcelona play an unknown quantity of Napoli. Since Barcelona will be playing on the home turf in the return fixture between the sides, the home team should secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Napoli
Barcelona vs Napoli Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
- Goal Scored: 1.23
- Games over 2.5 goals: 1.78
- Both teams scored: 1.68
Odds
- Barcelona Win: 1.92
- Draw: 3.70
- Napoli Win: 4.20
Barcelona vs Napoli Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12 at 8:00 PM (GMT).
- India: Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv App
- USA: CBS Network
- Italy: DAZN Sky Sport
- Czech Republic: AMC Networks ČT