Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Champions League duties on Tuesday evening, Napoli will welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli
Starting with the hosts, while Napoli might have registered seven points from their previous three Serie A appearances, it is fair to say that the reigning Italian champions are seeking some recent stability. Coming under some public scrutiny a fortnight ago as they fell to a shock 6-2 drumming away at Dutch outfit PSV, Antonio Conte’s men know the importance of claiming an immediate Champions League response here. Nevertheless, despite winning just a pair of their previous five outings across all competitions, the Azzurri will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil in midweek. Last seen at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona landing a stellar 3-1 victory against bitter domestic rivals Inter Milan on October 25th, Napoli have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 11 months.
Napoli Team News
Limping off against Como over the weekend after picking up a reported muscle issue, Napoli are expected to be without Scotland international Billy Gilmour here. Once again missing out against Como over the weekend, Conte’s camp will be unable to call upon summer recruit and former Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.
Shown a European red card away in Holland a fortnight ago, Italian international Lorenzo Lucca will miss out through suspension. Bagging a Champions League brace during Napoli’s 2-1 victory against Sporting Lisbon on October 1st, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line in midweek.
Eintracht Frankfurt
As for the visitors, while Eintracht Frankfurt might have sprung a Bundesliga upset last season as they secured a bronze medal finish among Germany’s elite, the Eagles have failed to find a similar level this time around. Last seen over the weekend eventually settling for a 1-1 stalemate away at Heidenheim, it has been suggested that Dino Toppmoller could find some increasing pressure on his position. Blown away against Liverpool on October 22nd as they slumped to a 5-1 drumming on home soil, Frankfurt have mustered just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Showing some extended defensive issues this season, the former Bayern Munich coach will be bracing himself for another stern examination on Tuesday evening.
Eintracht Frankfurt Team News
Limping off against Heidenheim on Saturday afternoon picking up a first-half knock, Eintracht Frankfurt are expected to be without Turkish starlet Can Yilmaz Uzun here. Both still dealing with respective thigh issues, the duo of Elias Baum and Oscar Hojlund remain on the sidelines.
Former German international Mario Gotze should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park and will partner ex-Malmo ace Hugo Larsson. One-time Leeds star Robin Koch will start at the heart of Toppmoller’s defence in Naples.
Napoli vs Eintracht Frankfurt Key Factors to Consider
- When Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt last met in Champions League actin during the 2022/23 campaign, Tuesday’s hosts collected a 5-0 aggregate win.
- Despite their recent inconstancies, Napoli have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 11 months.
- Frankfurt have registered just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- Continuing on from last season, Frankfurt have failed to record a single clean sheet on their travels since back on April 20th.
- Napoli have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since the end of August.
Conclusion
Seeking an immediate Champions League response on Tuesday evening, Napoli will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. Remarkably not suffering a single defeat at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona over the past 11 months, Conte’s men should be smelling a golden opportunity in midweek. Landing an empathic 5-0 aggregate victory when they last met Eintracht Frankfurt back in March 2023, we are expecting a similar outcome in Naples.
Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster