When Barcelona hosts Napoli at Camp Nou on Thursday evening for the first leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff match, they will be hoping to gain an advantage.
After finishing third in their Champions League group, the Catalan giants were relegated to this competition, while Napoli finished second in their Europa League section behind Spartak Moscow.
Team News
Barcelona
- Due to injury, Barcelona will be missing Samuel Umtiti, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, and Alejandro Balde, while Clement Lenglet and Memphis Depay remain doubtful.
- As a result of Ronald Araujo’s injury against Espanyol at the weekend, Eric Garcia could play in the back four, while Sergino Dest should start at right-back, as Dani Alves has been left out of the squad for the Europa League’s final stages.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is pressing for a full debut for the Catalan giants and might start at centre-forward, with Adama Traore and Gavi providing assistance.
- Ousmane Dembele is also seeking to be featured right away, with Xavi insisting that the France international will play a key role in the season’s final months.
Napoli
- Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano are both sidelined for Napoli, while Manchester United on-loan defender Axel Tuanzebe has been left out of the Europa League squad.
- Zambo, Andre-Frank After coming off the bench against Inter at the weekend, Anguissa is anticipated to start, while Eljif Elmas is expected to replace Politano, who was injured last time out.
- Head coach Spalletti is unlikely to surprise with his starting selection, with Lorenzo Insigne slated to start on the left and Victor Osimhen set to start in the center, while Fabian Ruiz, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, will play in the middle.
Prediction Analysis
Both teams will believe they can injure the other in the final third of the field, thus this should be an exciting game of football. Goals are certain to be scored at Camp Nou on Thursday, and we’re betting on a thrilling 2-2 draw to keep the tie alive ahead of the return match in Italy.
Our prediction is Barcelona 2-2 Napoli
Possible Lineup
Barcelona: F de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Traore, Aubameyang, Gavi; Ter Stegen: Dest, Pique, Garcia, Alba;
Napoli: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Ruiz; Elmas, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen;