Prediction: Napoli vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Verdict: Napoli win 

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Simply looking to finish off the job and punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket on Wednesday night, Napoli will welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Atalanta, Napoli are in the midst of a history-making campaign. Only continuing on a remarkable purple patch on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, the Italian heavyweights are cruising towards a first Serie A crown since 1990. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, many have tipped Luciano Spalletti’s men as a genuine European dark horse this season. Moving themselves into pole position to book their Champions League quarter-final ticket after picking up a first-leg 2-0 win out in Germany on February 21st, the ex-Inter Milan boss will be calling on a repeat display here. It should also be noted, including their 2-0 victory against La Dea a few days ago, Napoli have won eight of their previous nine matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Despite serving a recent domestic suspension, Napoli will be able to welcome back defender Mario Rui on Wednesday night. Likewise, Napoli remain hopeful that first-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret will be able to start between the sticks.

Finding the net in Napoli’s 2-0 victory out in Germany last month and already notching 21 strikes this season, the red-hot Victor Osimhen will spearhead Spalletti’s attack.

Eintracht Frankfurt

As for the visitors, although Eintracht Frankfurt might have enjoyed an extended flurry when returning from the winter break, Oliver Glasner’s men have come crashing back down to earth. Last seen over the weekend eventually having to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against Stuttgart, the former Wolfsburg boss will know that his side are in need of a minor miracle here. Likewise, along with getting hit with a first-leg 2-0 loss when they welcomed Napoli to Deutsche Bank Park on February 21st, the Eagles have failed to win any of their previous four appearances across all competitions. With their recent struggles highlighted by a 2-1 defeat away at RB Leipzig last month, Frankfurt have also collected just a single victory over the past six weeks. Slipping out of the Bundesliga’s top-four and now facing a real uphill battle, Glasner’s side should be bracing themselves for another stern test on their travels.

Team News

In what is a huge blow for Frankfurt on Wednesday night, Glasner’s side will be without leading marksman Randal Kolo Muani after the French international was shown a straight red card in the first-leg against Napoli.

The Eagles have also confirmed that both Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Jesper Lindstrom will not travel to Italy. Settling for a spot on the bench last weekend, Daichi Kamada should be in for a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met at Deutsche Bank Park for their first-leg meeting on February 21st, Napoli picked up a 2-0 victory.
• In fact, the Italian high-flyers have now won eight of their previous nine matchups across all competitions.
• Along with failing to win any of their last four straight appearances, Eintracht Frankfurt have also collected just one victory from their last six attempts.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s guests are also in the midst of a six-match winless run away from Deutsche Bank Park.
• Including a first-leg strike out in Germany, attacking talisman Victor Osimhen has bagged 21 goals across all competitions this season.

Conclusion

More than deserving of their 2-0 first-leg victory out in Germany last month, Napoli will simply be looking for a repeat display here. Making an immediate return to winning ways as they claimed a 2-0 win against Atalanta last time out, the Italian icons are smelling the chance to mount a real Champions League charge this year. Riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum, Eintracht Frankfurt should be bracing themselves for another huge test on Wednesday night. Recording just a single win over the past six weeks, the Eagles have also shown some extended issues on the road. Without a victory from their previous six showdowns away from Deutsche Bank Park, we are backing a home win here.

Verdict: Napoli win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet