Napoli vs Real Madrid prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-02 19:00.
Reigning Serie A champions Napoli will enter this blockbuster UEFA Champions League (UCL) group game against Real Madrid in fine form, having scored four goals in each of their last two league games (W2). After getting off the mark in this competition by beating Braga 2-1 on matchday one, they stand unbeaten in five competitive matches (W3, D2) ahead of their first meeting with Real Madrid since 2017.
Itās a fixture that manager Rudi Garcia revealed in September he has been looking forward to, particularly as AS Roma sacked him just one month before their Round of 16 meeting with Madrid in 2015/16. Never before have Napoli defeated their upcoming opponents (D1, L3), and since Madrid beat Napoli here more than five years ago, the only team to beat the Partenopei in a home UCL match was Manchester City (W11, D4), with the Italians scoring at least three times in four of the last five of those fixtures (W4, D1).
Madrid will therefore have to be on high alert, especially with key defenders unavailable due to injury, although that didnāt stop them keeping a clean sheet against Girona (W 3-0) on Saturday to return to the top of La Liga. As he prepares for his first meeting with his former club Napoli since 2009, boss Carlo Ancelotti will want to see a repeat of what he described as a ācomplete performanceā in that win over Girona.
The omens look good in that sense, as Los Blancos seem to enjoy playing in Ancelottiās homeland, winning their last five UCL away games against Italian clubs āto nilā. But given they were somewhat fortunate to beat Union Berlin 1-0 on matchday one, theyāll hope for a more polished performance as they continue their hunt for a record-extending 15th UCL/European Cup crown.
Players to watch: Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, rumoured to be a January transfer target for Madrid, has bagged five goals this term. Three of them were recorded between the 35th and 55th minute. Meanwhile, Joselu has scored four times for Madrid this season, with his opener against Girona the only one of those before half-time.
Hot streak: Both teams scored in each of Napoliās last seven European home games against Spanish opponents (W1, D4, L2).