Napoli vs Barcelona: Champions League prediction, team news, kick-off time, TV, h2h, odds today
Napoli and Barcelona both head into tonight’s heavyweight Champions League meeting in indifferent form.
This week’s first leg comes amid talk of Walter Mazzarri being sacked by the Partenopei, who have struggled desperately since Luciano Spalletti’s post-Scudetto exit last summer.
Meanwhile, his counterpart’s fate is already sealed with Xavi counting down the days before he quits the Camp Nou at the end of the season.
Francesco Calzona, Spalletti’s former assistant who took charge of the Slovakia national team in 2022, is set to lead Napoli until the end of the season alongside his preparations for the Euros.
The change in the dugout provides an air on unpredictability for a match between two teams struggling to deal with major expectations.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Napoli vs Barcelona is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The match will take place at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Where to watch Napoli vs Barcelona
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Napoli vs Barcelona lineups and team news
Napoli XI: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera, Zambo, Lobotka, Cajuste, Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Subs: Natan, Mario Rui, Traore, Contini, Simeone, Lindstrom, Mazzocchi, Ostigard, Raspadori, Gollini
Barcelona XI: ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Joao Cancelo, De Jong, Christensen, Gundogan, Yamal, Lewandowski, Gonzalez
Subs: Raphinha, Pena, Joao Felix, Lopez, Romeu, Vitor Roque, Sergi Roberto, Astralaga, Casado, Cubarsi, Guiu, Fort
Napoli vs Barcelona prediction
Napoli’s change of coach could inject some life into the Italians but their lack of form will open up spaces for Barcelona’s talented attack to punish them.
Barcelona to win, 2-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Catalans were victorious in each of their previous two knockout ties against the Neapolitans.
Napoli wins: 0
Barcelona wins: 2
Draws: 2
Napoli vs Barcelona match odds
Napoli: 15/8
Barcelona: 11/8
Draw: 13/5
Odds via Bet 365(subject to change).
