Barcelona VS Napoli Match Prediction

Despite both teams’ heritage, the first leg of this tie was actually their first European meeting. Dries Mertens opened the scoring but Antoine Griezmann to ensure it is all to play for in this second leg.

Barcelona vs Napoli Betting Tips

Barcelona fell away in La Liga after the restart, missing out on the title as they finished second, while Lionel Messi reportedly fell out with the coaching staff.

It does not bode well for them, but they are still favourites to get the job done in this second leg and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Messi bounced back to finish the season with two goals in the 5-0 win at Alaves, and Barcelona – with an away goal in their favour after the first leg – still enjoyed a better season than Napoli.

Napoli’s Coppa Italia win was the highlight, but their seventh-placed finish showed what they were lacking – mainly consistency.

Away from home, they lost their last two games of the season and that will be a primary concern ahead of this second leg too.

An away defeat will end their Champions League hopes and with key man Lorenzo Insigne a major injury doubt, the odds are stacked against the Serie A side.

Dries Mertens’ superb goal in the first leg means it is still all to play for in this tie, but Barcelona are favourites and can live up to expectations.

Barcelona vs Napoli Recommended bets with odds

Barcelona are favourites to beat Napoli and can be backed at 8/13 with Bet365, 888sport and Betway to do so.

There was little between the two sides in the first leg, and both teams to score in this leg is a best price of 4/6 with Betway. Barcelona to win and BTTS is 2/1 with Bet365, Betway and Paddy Power.

A one-goal winning margin either way will return 13/8 with Betway.

After his two goals on the final day of the league season, Lionel Messi is 4/5 with 888sport to score at any time.

Barcelona vs Napoli Prediction

Barcelona are favourites to win and they can ensure they book their quarter-final place by living up to expectations.

Correct score prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Napoli

Barcelona Team News

Sent off late on in the first leg, Arturo Vidal will be suspended for this second leg and joins Sergio Busquets in sitting out for the same reason. Samuel Umtiti is injured in defence, while the game may come too soon for Ousmane Dembele. Antoine Griezmann – their goalscorer in the first leg – could be fit to return.

Barcelona Key Players

• Lionel Messi – A difficult end to the season after publicized clashes with the coaching staff, he still signed off with two more goals.
• Luis Suarez – Scored on the final day to finish the season with 16 league goals after an injury-hit campaign.
• Antoine Griezmann – Not hit the heights many expected so far this season, but the French World Cup winner scored in the first leg of this tie and should be back from injury for this game.

Barcelona Team Form

Barcelona signed off from the La Liga season with a 5-0 win away to Alaves to ensure they come into this game in winning form. They lost previous home match, to Osasuna, but have won four of their last five in total. At Alaves, Ansu Fati put them in front before Lionel Messi struck twice, either side of goals from Luis Suarez and Nelson Semedo.

Barcelona Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Napoli Team News

Lorenzo Insigne is a major fitness doubt after his injury on the final day of the league season. He will be a huge miss if he does not return, which would probably mean both Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milik starting together in the front three.

Napoli Key Players

• Dries Mertens – Scored a brilliant goal in the first leg of this tie and the Belgian forward has 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions.
• Jose Callejon – The less famous member of their usual front three, the winger still has plenty of assists to his name this season to prove his worth.
• Kalidou Koulibaly – Given reported interest elsewhere, this could be his final game for Napoli but he still has a big role to play at the back.

Napoli Team Form

Napoli lost their last two away games of the season, 2-1 to Parma and 2-0 to Inter, but did end the Serie A season with a 3-1 win at home to Lazio. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring, Lorenzo Insigne scored a penalty and Matteo Politano sealed victory late on.

Napoli Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

All square after the first leg, Barcelona and Napoli need to bounce back from disappointing (by their respective standards) domestic campaigns in the Champions League. Barca's away goal gives them a slight edge and they can seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Barcelona have only lost two of their last 30 Champions League ties.