Napoli – Braga : Preview & Prediction
With seven points in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group B standings (G2, E1, P2), reigning Serie A champions Napoli head into the final matchday knowing that simply avoiding defeat will qualify them for the Round of 16. The home side, who reached the quarterfinals of this competition last season, are looking to reach the last 16 of the UCL for the fifth time, and should be buoyed by the fact that they beat Braga 2-1 on matchday one.
However, Walter Mazzarri’s side lost 1-0 to Juventus last Friday, a result that dropped them out of the top four in Italy’s top flight, which is certainly not ideal preparation for this crucial clash. Most would think a return to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium should be welcome then, but instead Napoli have struggled here in the UCL of late and are trying to avoid going winless in four home games in the competition (E2, P1) for the first time in the club’s history.
That should give Braga plenty of hope, especially since they need to win by at least a two-goal margin to qualify for the UCL knockout rounds for the first time in their history. The Portuguese side won by that margin over the weekend, beating Vizela 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games (G4, E1), scoring three or more times in three of the last four.
However, that form contrasts sharply with their recent UCL results, as Braga have won just one of their last nine matches in the competition (E1, P7). The visitors also arrive in Naples having lost their last six European matches against Italian opposition since beating Parma 1-0 in 2007, a record that must end here if they are to qualify.
Players to watch: Napoli’s lucky charm Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has seen all 16 of his goal-scoring appearances for the club end in victory. Braga’s Simon Banza scored a brace at the weekend to take his total tally to 13 goals this season, although he remains scoreless in the UCL.
Key stat: At least one team has scored three or more goals in eight of Braga’s last 10 official away matches.
Napoli – Braga : Betting Tips
Napoli – Win Odds: 1.55
