Vital Points at Stake in Naples

Champions League | Preview

06/11/18

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When the draw was made for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group stage, everyone was looking out for this season’s group of death. As Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were drawn together, it became apparent the group of death would be Group C and it has lived up to expectations.

This week, Napoli host PSG in a crucial match as both teams aim to qualify for the Round of 16 this season. With Liverpool the heavy favourites to come away from Belgrade with maximum points a defeat for either team in this game could have huge consequences.

Napoli come into this match with a spring in their step following their big 5-1 win over Empoli in Serie A on the weekend. That victory means Napoli are undefeated in their last six games in all competitions and have won four of those matches.

One of the wins in their last six games came at home against Liverpool in the Champions league, one of only two defeats Liverpool have tasted this season. Napoli have been very impressive on home soil and have won six of their seven games in all competitions, the only set-back being the 1-1 draw with Roma in Serie A.

Napoli have scored at least once in each of their seven home games this season and trends show they have kept four clean sheets, conceding only 4 goals throughout the campaign. Napoli have won four of their last five matches at home in the Champions League.

PSG travel to Italy having recorded yet another win in Ligue 1 on the weekend to extend their lead to 11 points at the top of the table. There is little doubt PSG will win the title in France in this season so the Champions league is becoming crucial for Thomas Tuchel and his players.

Trends show PSG have won eight of their last nine games in all competitions this season. The one match they failed to win during that run was the reverse fixture against Napoli which ended in a 2-2 draw.

PSG have lost only one match this season but that defeat came away from home in the Champions League at Liverpool. It was a disappointing performance from PSG that night and they will be hoping for better in Naples.

PSG have won five of their last six away games in all competitions this season, scoring 2 or more goals in each of those matches. However, they have lost each of their last three away games in the Champions league.

Team news and Napoli will be without the injured duo of Simone Verdi and Vlad Chiriches. Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne caused PSG all sorts of problems in France and are set to start the match.

PSG are without left-back Lavyin Kurzawa for the remainder of the season with a back injury. Dani Alves is back in training and may feature in the squad while striker Edinson Cavani should be fit to face his former club.

This is another exciting game to look forward to in the Champions league and we should see plenty of attacking play. It would not be a surprise to see both teams score but Napoli have the edge and could come out winners.