Benfica vs Napoli prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-09 20:00.
[p]Benfica and Napoli clash on matchday six of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL), as managers Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte lock horns for the eighth time.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After losing each of their opening four UCL games this season, Benfica finally got themselves into the win column as they beat Ajax 2-0 on matchday five to boost their slim qualification chances. They begin this latest round sat three points adrift of the top 24 as Jose Mourinho now looks to win consecutive games in the competition for the first time since November 2018 with Manchester United. In order to do that, his side will have to improve upon some disappointing home form of late, with Benfica winless in three home outings (D2, L1), while they’ve also lost both of their home UCL league phase games this term.  [/p]
[p]Napoli will arrive feeling confident of adding to their hosts’ woes, especially as they produced a huge 2-1 victory over Juventus on Sunday to move back to the Serie A summit. That latest win also made it five in succession for the visitors as they begin to hit their stride, but they’re yet to translate that kind of form into the UCL, where they’ve picked up just seven points from a possible 15 (W2, D1, L2). Back-to-back clean sheets have helped to improve their position in Europe’s premier tournament at least (W1, D1), as the Italian side now look to keep three in succession for the first time in their European Cup/UCL history.  [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Benfica and Napoli have met on four previous occasions in Europe, with the Italian side winning three of those four matches (L1).[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Benfica have scored exactly two goals in four of their last five matches.[/p]
[p]Only three teams have won more corners in the UCL this season than Benfica (31). [/p]
[p]Napoli have lost each of their last four UCL away matches, conceding 3.8 goals per game.[/p]
[p]Only three of Napoli’s nine away games this season have seen both teams score. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]One of Nicolás Otamendi’s two career UCL goals has come against Napoli, a first-half header for Manchester City in November 2017, and he’s one shy of 50 career wins in the UCL. Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund struck a brace over the weekend, taking his tally to six goals this season, of which five have put his team ahead on the scoresheet, including two in the same game against Portuguese opponents Sporting Lisbon. [/p]
[p]Benfica have no fresh injury concerns here, though Napoli are still without four of their recognised midfielders, including Kevin De Bruyne. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]With Napoli in torrid away UCL form, a punt on a Benfica win could make sense here.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Nathan Evans[/i][/p]