Real Madrid will confirm their place in the Champions League round of 16 as Group C winners should they pick up at least a point against Napoli on Wednesday night.
The group phase has generally been a stroll for Carlo Ancelotti’s side after they were made to work hard for their opening two victories. A Federico Valverde stunner got them over the line in Naples on Matchday 2 which saw them take full control of the group early on.
Napoli, meanwhile, are now led by Walter Mazzarri following the exit of Rudi Garcia, and his second spell at the club got off to an impressive start on Saturday as they beat Atalanta 2-1 in Bergamo. However, with Braga expected to beat Union Berlin on Wednesday, Napoli have still got plenty of work to do if they’re to join Madrid in the round of 16.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Napoli.
Real Madrid vs Napoli H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 3, discovery+, discovery+ app |
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United States |
Paramount+, ViX |
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Canada |
DAZN |
Madrid‘s injury woes have continued to worsen with Vinicius Junior set for a few weeks on the sidelines, although Jude Bellingham did return to action at the weekend and should get the nod again on Wednesday.
Brahim Diaz fell ill ahead of Sunday’s trip to Cadiz and is a doubt to feature in midweek.
Eduardo Camavinga joined compatriot Aurelien Tchouameni on the treatment table, while Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are long-term absentees. Andriy Lunin will continue to deputise for the absent Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Napoli (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Mazzarri has very few injury concerns at the start of his tenure, although the visitors will be without Mario Rui and summer arrival Jesper Lindstrom.
Victor Osimhen should return to the starting XI and replace Giacomo Raspadori, while Elif Elmas is vying for a start after scoring the winner in Bergamo on Saturday.
Napoli predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3): Gollini; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Ostigard, Oliveira; Lobotka, Anguissa, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
While Mazzarri’s appointment might be underwhelming, his reign got off to an excellent start at the weekend and Napoli will head into this fixture with some momentum behind them.
The reverse fixture proved there’s little to separate the pair and given Napoli’s greater desperation, they could cause an upset here.
Madrid have been mightily efficient at the start of the new season and are unlikely to lose on home soil, but the spoils may end up being shared following another entertaining bout between these two sides.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 Napoli
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