Prediction: Liverpool vs Napoli

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: bet365

Domestic football is back in our lives after this past weekend, and now, the same can be said for European football too. We’re entering the crunch stage of the Champions League group stage with teams all across the competition fighting to either make it through to the knockout stage or just simply drop down into the Europa League – it really is an open book. Today, we’re going to be looking at a game between two clubs who have become pretty familiar with one another: Liverpool and Napoli.

Liverpool

The Reds are flying high in the Premier League which, seemingly, is going to be their main focus this season, especially after they were able to capture the European Cup for a sixth time last year. The great thing about their squad, though, is that they are more than capable of pulling a win out of the bag even when it doesn’t really seem like they’re playing at their best or they have their best starting XI out. That, in a nutshell, is why they’re viewed as such a special team.

Team News

Henderson will continue to feature after returning from injury, Robertson has fully recovered, and the only big injury worries are Clyne, Matip and Shaqiri.

Napoli

Napoli are in a bit of a sticky situation as they continue to struggle to pick up wins both in Europe and in Serie A. They’re up against the ropes and they’re in desperate need of a big result to spark them back into life, but nobody really knows where it’s going to come from at this stage. The Christmas period isn’t going to be quite as busy for them as it is for Liverpool, though, which could wind up being a feather in their cap as they prepare for a really tough game.

Team News

Insigne will miss out after sustaining an elbow injury against AC Milan, with Milik being injured alongside Malcuit. Ghoulam, Ruiz and Rui all have injury concerns for what is turning out to be a depleted Napoli side.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting, Napoli were able to beat Liverpool 2-0.
• Liverpool have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Napoli have drawn five and lost one of their last six games.
• Liverpool have scored 16 goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
• Napoli have scored six goals and conceded seven in their last six games.

Conclusion

Napoli seem to thrive at home so when they go to Anfield, we’re expecting the same fate that they experienced last year. They really do appear to be struggling this season, and coming up against the reigning Champions of Europe isn’t going to resolve that. Jurgen Klopp is usually capable of turning over any team that he pits his Liverpool side against, and we just can’t imagine that’s going to be any different here. Napoli will get their shots in, but it isn’t going to be enough.

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: bet365