Benfica vs Napoli: Preview and Prediction

Benfica vs Napoli
UEFA Champions League – Group B
Date: Tuesday, 6th December 2016.
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon.

The group B of the Champions League is still a tight contest, as one out of these three clubs Napoli, Benfica and Besiktas will be dropped to the Europa League. Benfica and Napoli will battle it out at Lisbon as the winner of the two will finish top.

Napoli seem to be halfway into the next phase, their came out winners in the reverse of this fixture at Italy. A draw is enough to qualify Napoli for the next round of the competition regardless of Besiktas result. They will enter this game with full confidence, having trashed Inter Milan 3-0 at home on Friday.

On the contrary, the home team Benfica won’t be praying for a draw in this game. They are on same point with Napoli and are above Besiktas with a point. A draw will jeopardise Benfica’s Champions League campaign should Besiktas win on same night.

Benfica vs Napoli: Head to Head Statistics

This game will mark their 4th meeting against each other and the second time the two teams are playing at Benfica’s home ground. Benfica haven’t been successful in their previous game against Italian teams.

They have played 30 times against Italian teams, but have lost 16 times. Benfica have won 9 games against Italian sides and drawn 5 times in their previous 30 games. 6 of Benfica’s 9 wins against Italians have come at home ground, they have lost 3 times at home and drawn 4.

Napoli’s 11 games against Portuguese teams have produced 5 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. Also on the road, they have won once at Portugal, lost twice and drawn twice.

Benfica vs Napoli: Prediction

This game will be filled with entertainment as the group’s qualification partly depends on this result.

We expect Napoli to grab at least a draw in this game, considering their recent good form.