Napoli expected to frustrate off-form Liverpool in Champions League opener
SSC Napoli vs Liverpool - 07/09/2022
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Napoli and Liverpool will kick off their 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaigns when they go head-to-head in Campania on Wednesday night.
Both sides will be confident of reaching the knockout phase and progressing in the tournament, having been drawn alongside Ajax and Rangers in Group A.
Liverpool have reached three of the past five Champions League finals, triumphing in 2018/19 while falling short in 2017/18 and 2021/22.
Although Napoli have enjoyed nowhere near as much European glory as Liverpool, they have enjoyed plenty of success against the English giants in recent years.
The Italians have made a flying start to the 2022/23 Serie A season, picking up three wins and two draws to remain unbeaten in the league.
After thrashing Hellas Verona (2-5) and Monza (4-0), Napoli draw with Fiorentina (0-0) and Lecce (1-1) before beating Lazio (1-2) last time out).
In addition to scoring 12 league goals already this season, Napoli have only conceded four. This suggests that Luciano Spalletti’s men are adept at both ends of the pitch.
As for Liverpool, they have made something of an iffy start to the new Premier League campaign – recording two wins, three draws and one loss.
Victories over Bournemouth (9-0) and Newcastle United (2-1) were impressive, but other recent performances have not been up to scratch.
Still, we cannot forget that only two clubs – Real Madrid (14) and AC Milan (7) – have won more European Cup/Champions League titles than Liverpool (6).
Not only have the Reds have featured in three of the last five UCL finals, but they have also featured in five of the previous 18.
Head-to-head: Napoli and Liverpool faced each other during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 editions of the Champions League.
Napoli claimed two home wins against Liverpool during that period, while Liverpool won just one of the four meetings. The other clash ended 1-1.
Team news: Napoli defensive midfielder Diego Demme looks set to miss Wednesday’s clash due to an ongoing foot injury.
Liverpool have multiple injury absentees, including Ibrahima Konate, Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
Given Liverpool’s below-par start to the season, Napoli are expected to frustrate Jurgen Klopp’s side on Wednesday.
Forebet predicts that Napoli and Liverpool will play out a low-scoring draw, with both sides netting under 1.5 goals.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
333829
X
1 - 1
2.40
28°
3.80
3.60
3.80
1.95
no
no
no
4 - 1(3 - 0)
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