Napoli welcome Leicester to Stadio San Paolo in a blockbuster Group C showdown as both teams battle for a knockout spot.
Victory would assure Napoli of top spot and a bye to the Round of 16 whilst a win for Leicester would likewise see them safely through, although a draw would be good enough for Leicester to advance as one of the two best Group C teams.
Team News
Stanislav Lobotka is ruled out for Napoli after suffering a hamstring injury in their Serie A loss against Atalanta.
Konstantinos Manolas (stomach), Alessandro Zanoli (Coronavirus), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (muscle), Lorenzo Insigne (calf) and Fabian Ruiz (groin) are doubts and will face late checks.
Victor Osimhen (cheekbone) and Kalidou Koulibaly (hamstring) are definitely absent.
Leicester could welcome Youri Tielemans back from a calf injury after the Belgian midfielder wasn’t risked in Sunday’s scrappy defeat at Aston Villa.
Kasper Schmeichel (hand) could be rested with Danny Ward instead starting this match for the Foxes.
James Justin (knee), Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (leg) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Napoli drew in their only previous meeting against Leicester, having fought back to a 2-2 draw in September 2021.
- Leicester are visiting Napoli for the very first time in all competitions.
- Napoli have kept just one clean sheet in their five group matches in this competition this season.
- Leicester have scored first in two of their five group matches in this competition this season.
- Harvey Barnes has scored in two of Leicester’s last three away matches in all competitions.
Prediction
Since returning from last month’s international break, Napoli have won just one of their last five matches despite finding the net in all five games which is surely a huge concern given that they were strong pre-tournament favourites to escape this group.
Injuries though won’t help them here and if those in doubt fail their fitness checks, Napoli will certainly will be in real trouble without much of their attacking firepower available.
Leicester though have their own issues defensively which was evident aerially in their defeat at Villa so goals should hopefully be guaranteed here, although the Foxes did look positive in quick-flowing attacks with neat movement so expect them to come here fighting.
On that note, this has a scrappy fight written across this but Napoli’s injury crisis could prove their undoing if Leicester are at their best, especially in the event that Patson Daka starts given his form in this competition.
Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Leicester
Result: Napoli 3-2 Leicester
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