Napoli - Barcelona predictions and free betting tips [21/02/2024]

On Wednesday 21st February, the first match of the Champions League 1/8 finals will take place, with Napoli hosting Barcelona on their home ground. Both teams were victorious in their respective national leagues last season, but this campaign has been less successful for both sides.

Predicted Line-ups

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Roque.

Stadium

The encounter will take place in Napoli at the stadium named after Diego Maradona.

Napoli

Napoli, the reigning champion of Italy and quarter-finalist of last year's Champions League, faced another Spanish giant – Real Madrid – at the group stage (losing 2:3 at home and 4:2 away). However, the light blues breezed past Braga and Union Berlin to take 2nd place in Group C. In the league, things aren't quite as rosy for Walter Mazzarri's charges: they sit in 9th place overall with one game in hand and are 5 points adrift of the European places. Since the start of 2024, Napoli lost to Inter in the Italian Super Cup final (0:1) and have only won twice in their last 6 rounds.

A week ago, the Partenopei lost to Milan (1:0) away, and at the weekend, they drew with Genoa (1:1): the Griffins took the lead on the 56th minute, but N'Gonge equalised on the scoreboard in the dying stages. Currently, Napoli don't have any major personnel losses, which is definitely a plus for the management team. 

Barcelona

Barcelona, with five Champions League titles to their name, return to the competition's playoffs after a two-year absence. Blaugrana were drawn into Group H and lived up to expectations by finishing in 1st place: with 4 wins and 2 losses, the Catalans outpaced Porto, Shakhtar, and Antwerp, albeit losing away matches against the Miners (1:0) and the Belgians (3:2). In the domestic league, the Garnet and Blue trail Real Madrid, who are leading in the race for the title, by 8 points and sit third in the league table.

Having suffered a fiasco in the Spanish Super Cup final and getting knocked out of the Copa Del Rey at the quarter-final stage, Barça have remained undefeated in their last 4 league matches (3 wins and 1 draw). After a draw with Granada (3:3), Xavi's men managed a hard-fought 1:2 victory over struggling Celta Vigo on the weekend. In Barça's squad, Gavi (season over, ACL rupture) is out; the same goes for left-back Balde. 

Head-to-Head Matches

These two clubs have faced each other eight times in their history, with Napoli managing only one victory (a friendly match in 2014) and, more importantly, suffering five defeats. In spring 2022, the teams met in the 1/16 final of the Europa League, with Barça defeating Napoli in the return match (1:1, 2:4).

Match Prediction: Napoli vs Barcelona

Napoli have never managed to beat Barcelona in official matches, and the Partenopei's current form doesn't bode well. Of course, Barcelona are also heading to Italy not in the best shape - however, the Catalans have remained undefeated in their last four matches and have far more European experience. Taking a risk, I'd place a bet on a draw.

Over/Under Prediction

Both are having serious defensive issues, conceding almost every round of the championships. However, the attacking performers are star-studded, so we're confidently backing both teams to score.

Corners Prediction

Napoli won't just hand the ball over to the Catalans and will be a danger to the opposition – the hosts will definitely set at least 5 corners.

Yellow Cards Prediction

In the current Champions League, Napoli average 1.8 yellow cards per match, while the visitors average 2.5. We're confidently backing over 3.5 total bookings.

Score Prediction

I would place a bet on a 1:1 exact score.