Napoli vs Barcelona
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 25 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples).
Napoli
Gattuso has hinted that Napoli could use a rigid system, where players tend to stick close to each other to form a compact impenetrable defensive scheme. It can make people like Kostas Manolas and Nikola Maksimovic is very important for the squad
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui could also play an important role in the full-back slot. They are expected to operate in a deeper role though, is more focused on providing defensive cover for the two center backs.
In the second row of the press, Gattuso will depend mainly on Diego Demme, who are quite familiar with compact setup of time at RB Leipzig. He could be partnered with Fabian Ruiz and Piotr Zielinski, who started on the bench against Brescia, although he later made a substitute appearance.
In the attack, Fernando Llorente had missed training with the flu and we do not expect him to feature against Barcelona. However, Arkadiusz Milik over guaranteed starter as number nine, where he will be tasked with the responsibility of leading the forefront of Napoli.
Pole will be supported by wide-attacking duo of Matteo Politano and captain Lorenzo Insigne. Hirving Lozano and Jose Callejon additional option for Gattuso in the final third.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Maksimovic, Rui; Ruiz, Demme, Zielinski; Politano, Owned, Insigne
Barcelona
Barcelona will continue to lose the services of such key strikers Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele due to injury. That means Antoine Griezmann could once again lead the attack, with Lionel Messi, who will operate on the right wing.
Ansu Fati seems like a guaranteed starter at left wing like Martin Braithwaite is not registered to play in the Champions League while Carles Perez moved to AS Roma in January. Fati can, therefore, form the front line alongside Barca Messi and Griezmann.
Frenkie de Jong rested in Barcelona's 5-0 win over SD Eibar. He is expected to return to the squad and paired with an ever-present figure of Sergio Busquets in midfield. With them, Ivan Rakitic is likely to get the nod ahead of Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal.
And finally, in its defense, Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet is more than likely to sit at the heart of the back four. Nelson Semedo and Junior Firpo guaranteed starter elsewhere, especially with Sergi Roberto out injured.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Firpo; de Jong, Busquets, Rakitic; Messi, Griezmann, Fati
Napoli vs Barcelona Predictions
Frankly, Napoli have been faring much better on the road than they have at home this season. In fact, they secured more points from their show back in the domestic campaign. Sad, 4 home defeat occurred in the space of seven matches.
In sharp contrast, Barcelona has been on the losing end only two of the last nine games. To make matters worse for the hosts, the Catalan side are unbeaten in their past three trips throughout Europe, the latter of which was a 2-1 win over Serie A, Inter Milan.
Taking these into consideration, the possibility Napoli secured the bragging rights of course looked bleak. Be that as it may, the hosts have enjoyed success in two of the past three of their European clash at the stadium, one of which is on its own mighty Liverpool.
In addition, it is also necessary to say that all four defeats Barcelona have given up on the season came from their journey on the road. Therefore, it would be safer to back the draw no bet this week.
In addition, the Blaugrana have been vulnerable at the back, especially in their events. Disappointingly, they have yet to keep a clean sheet away from home since the new year and have conceded five goals in their last three games.
Meanwhile, Napoli have scored no fewer than two goals in each of their previous two matches here. Given the poor defensive record Catalans' on the road, relying on the host to find the back of the net with Barcelona in this one.
Napoli vs Barcelona Betting tips
Not interesting bet: Barcelona @ 1.60 (3/5).
Both teams scored @ 1.60 (3/5).
