Napoli vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (21 February)

Napoli and Barcelona face each other on Wednesday, at 8pm, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Champions League. The game will be at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples. Two of Diego Maradona's former clubs, and current champions of Italy and Spain, face each other in a stadium named after him.

The two teams have already met in two European qualifiers: the round of 16 of the 2019/20 Champions League and the knockout stage play-offs of the 2021/22 Europa League, in which Barcelona progressed in both.

Napoli are spared from injuries at the moment. Thus, the infirmary is completely empty for this round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. It is nevertheless necessary to point out the uncertainty surrounding the participation of the essential striker Victor Osimhen. Defeated in the final of the African Cup of Nations, the Nigerian international was still rested last weekend but could be available this time. If he can start, Osimhen (7 goals in 13 SA games) should be surrounded by wingers Politano (6 goals and 3 assists in SA) and Kvaratskhelia (6 goals and 3 assists in SA). Last weekend was marked by the return to goalkeeper Meret, who had been injured since the end of December. Against Genoa, it was winter recruit Ngonge who scored the equalizing goal at the very end of the game. During the transfer window, replacement midfielder Elmas (2 goals in 11 appearances) joined RB Leipzig.

For Barça, we can already announce the inevitable withdrawal of Gavi (end of season, victim of a ruptured cruciate ligament). Same case concerning the left side Baldé (serious injury). Recently injured, Brazilian winger Raphinha and German goalkeeper Ter Stegen have fully recovered from their problems and are back. However, this is not the case for the experienced Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto as well as the potentially starting attackers Joao Felix and Ferran Torres. Criticized this season, Lewandowski (1 goal in 5 C1 matches, 12 goals and 5 assists in La Liga) silenced his detractors last weekend with a double. At his side, the jewel Yamal (16 years old, 3 goals and 3 assists in La Liga) should take his place. The midfield has no shortage of qualities with the important De Jong, Gundogan and Pedri.