Madrid vs Napoli Preview, Predictions, and Top Picks
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Real Madrid and Napoli lock horns at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Both teams are well on their way to securing a spot in the top two of the group, so the stakes aren't sky-high for this clash. Los Blancos have triumphed in all three previous encounters against the Italians, scoring three goals in each victory.
Madrid's Journey So Far
Despite underwhelming performances, Ancelotti's gang has only suffered one defeat this season – a loss against rivals Atletico Madrid in September. Following that setback, they rallied with four straight wins, including a 3-2 triumph away at Napoli, taking full control of Group C. After a draw at Sevilla and a 2-1 victory at Braga on matchday three, they enjoyed a 2-1 win over Barcelona, thanks to Jude Bellingham's double. However, they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Rayo Vallecano before the FIFA break, before thumping Valencia 5-1 at home and Saladino 3-0 away to top La Liga.
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Madrid's Injury Conundrum
Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with a plethora of injury concerns. Thibaut Courtois and his backup, Kepa Arrizabalaga, are both out, with Andriy Lunin set to start in goal. The midfield is hit hard, with the absences of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga. Eder Militao and Vinicius Jr are also sidelined, with Joselu taking the reins. Dani Ceballos may get a rare start due to the extensive absences.
Madrid's Drive
A draw would secure top spot for Los Blancos, but Ancelotti could opt to rotate his squad with La Liga commitments in mind. A narrow victory would be a solid outcome, while avoiding defeat is a must. Expect them to put on a show for the home fans.
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Napoli's Fumbling Start
Napoli's domestic form has been underwhelming this season, losing six of their opening 12 Serie A matches, including home losses to Lazio and Fiorentina in the first eight fixtures. Their 3-2 home loss to Real Madrid on matchday two of the Champions League did not help matters either. However, they found their groove after that, winning 3-1 at Verona and 1-0 at Union Berlin on matchday three. Unfortunately, Rudi Garcia paid the price for their slow start, and a 1-1 home draw versus Union Berlin and a 1-0 home defeat to Empoli led to his dismissal. With Walter Mazzarri back in charge, they secured a 2-1 victory at Atalanta on Saturday.
Napoli's Team News
Jesper Lindstrom and Mario Rui are out due to injury, with veteran centre-back Juan Jesus potentially stepping in at left-back for Mathías Olivera, who picked up an injury on Saturday. Key striker Victor Osimhen should return, having recovered from a six-week absence.
Napoli's Ambitions
Napoli sit four points clear of third-placed Braga and host them on matchday six, so a defeat here would not be dire for their chances of qualification. Nonetheless, they will play to win and maintain their slim hopes of top spot, but a good performance, a draw, or a narrow defeat would be an acceptable outcome.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have lost just once in 18 games this season.
- Real Madrid have won all three previous meetings with Napoli (9 goals scored).
- Napoli are unbeaten on the road this season (7 wins, 2 draws).
- Napoli have won 5 of their last 7 away Champions League matches (14 goals scored).
The Final Verdict
Injuries and Madrid's comfortable position in the group complicate this fixture. Expect Real Madrid to edge out a win, but a narrow margin is likely, and they may concede with Osimhen back in action for Napoli.
Best Bet: Real Madrid to win 💰
Alternative Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals 💰
Value Bet: Real Madrid to win by exactly 1 goal 💰
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- Enrichment Data:
- Overall: Although the search did not provide specific predictions, general knowledge suggests Real Madrid has a strong record against Napoli, and their depth and experience could give them an edge. Napoli has shown improvement this season but may struggle in the absence of key players. Key players to watch include Benzema, Modric, and Vinicius Jr for Real Madrid, and Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, and Di Lorenzo for Napoli. Team news, injuries, and suspensions may impact both teams' strategies, and the outcome could depend on tactical decisions and player performances.
- Despite Madrid's injury concerns, their strong record against Napoli and depth of talent suggest they could edge out a win against the Italian side.
- Real Madrid's key players to watch include Benzema, Modric, and Vinicius Jr, while Napoli could rely on Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, and Di Lorenzo for a strong performance.
- A draw would secure top spot for Real Madrid but rotating their squad may be a consideration given La Liga commitments. A narrow victory would be a solid outcome, while avoiding defeat is a must.
- Napoli's domestic form has been underwhelming, but they have shown improvement on the road, winning 5 of their last 7 away Champions League matches. However, a slight edge in Resources, form, and key players may favor Real Madrid in this fixture.
