Napoli tipped to edge out Leicester in decisive Europa League clash

SSC Napoli vs Leicester City - 09/12/2021

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Remarkably, all four teams in Group C can still qualify for the Europa League knockout phase as Napoli and Leicester City prepare to do battle on Thursday.

The Foxes currently sit one point clear of both second-place Spartak Moscow and third-place Napoli, while fourth-place Legia Warsaw are two points behind.

A draw at Stadio San Paolo on Matchday 6 would see Leicester book their spot in the knockouts. However, Napoli must win to remain in control of their own destiny.

Napoli suffered only their second Serie A defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 3-2 to Atalanta.

As a result, they now sit one point behind second-place Inter and two points behind first-place Milan. Fourth-place Atalanta are just two points behind.

Despite their impressive domestic campaign, Napoli have struggled to consistency in the Europa League – notching two wins, one draw and two losses.

After drawing with Leicester on Matchday 1, they did the double of Legia Warsaw but also suffered back-to-back losses against Spartak Moscow.

Although Napoli are the top scorers in Group C with 12 goals to their name, they have also conceded eight times.

As for Leicester, they head into Thursday’s clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa – throwing away their lead at Villa Park on Sunday.

The Foxes have only managed to win one of their past six Premier League games, recording two draws and three losses along the way.

In the Europa League, Brendan Rodgers’ men took just a single point from their opening two encounters.

Since then, however, they have picked up seven points from a possible nine to give themselves an excellent chance of reaching the knockouts.

Head-to-head: These two sides met for the very first time on Matchday 1 back in September, producing a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes were 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go, but a late brace from Victor Osimhen saw the Italians rescue a point.

Team news: Coincidently, Osimhen is currently injured. Napoli will also be without Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz on Thursday.

As for Leicester, they have three injury absentees – James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Ricardo Pereira. Youri Tielemans is also a doubt for Thursday’s clash.

Leicester may find themselves at the top of Group C, but there is no margin for error on Thursday. With home advantage, Napoli are expected to put up a fight.

Forebet predicts that both teams will score on Thursday. However, Napoli should have enough firepower to come out on top.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UEL

SSC Napoli Leicester City 09/12/2021 18:45

413821

1

2 - 1

3.03

9°

2.23

2.23 3.76 3.48 1 -1 -1

FT

3 - 2(2 - 2)

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