Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli
Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
Opening their Champions League knockout stage adventure on Tuesday night, Napoli will make the trip to Germany when they meet Eintracht Frankfurt.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Starting with the hosts, while Eintracht Frankfurt might have been hit with a nightmare 3-0 drumming away at Koln earlier in the month, Oliver Glasner’s men came roaring back last weekend. Making real history last season as they were crowned Europe League champions, the Eagles should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Picking up some perfect momentum a few days ago as they claimed a 2-0 victory at home against Werder Bremen, the former Wolfsburg boss is dreaming of the chance to claim a top-four finish in 2023. While the German outfit might face a real challenge when they open their Champions League knockout stage adventure on Tuesday night, Frankfurt should be excited by what has become a rampant run of form at Deutsche Bank Park. Including back-to-back 3-0 romps against Schalke and Werder Bremen, Glasner’s side have won each of their last five straight home fixtures on either side of the World Cup break.
Team News
Eintracht Frankfurt will once again be without the trio of Junior Dina Ebimbe, Sebastian Rode and Marcel Wenig when they open their knockout stage adventure here.
Baggimg seven goals since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, 24-year-old star Randal Kolo Muani will spearhead the Eagles’ charge on Tuesday night.
Napoli
As for the visitors, laying down yet another marker over the weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Sassuolo, Napoli are in the midst of what has become a famous campaign. Storming their way to this season’s Serie A crown and already holding a remarkable 15-point buffer over the chasing pack, the Italian heavyweights have only continued to gain a string of plaudits. Enjoying what has been a season that will live long in the memory books, some in Luciano Spalletti’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring a major Champions League upset in 2023. Breezing their way to the knockout stage and gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, the former Inter Milan boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to make a first-leg statement here. Now winning each of their previous five straight Serie A matchups by an aggregate score of 12-1, Napoli have cemented their spot as a real European dark horse.
Team News
Napoli will make the trip to Germany on Tuesday night without Italian international Giacomo Raspadori. However, aside from the 23-year-old, Spalletti’s side have been handed a clean bill of health.
Once again finding the net against Sassuolo over the weekend and with 17 strikes in as many appearances, the red-hot Victor Osimhen will spearhead Spalletti’s Napoli charge.
Key Factors to Consider
Napoli have won each of their last five Serie A matchups by an aggregate score of 12-1.
Eintracht Frankfurt have five consecutive Bundesliga matchups at Deutsche Bank Park.
Attacking talisman Victor Osimhen has bagged 17 strikes in as many appearances.
Napoli have bagged over 1.5 goals in six of their previous seven fixtures away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Seven of Frankfurt’s last eight matchups on home soil have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Eintracht Frankfurt might have continued on an extended flurry at Deutsche Bank Park, Tuesday’s hosts will know that they face a real challenge here. With Napoli only continuing on a history-making flurry this season, some have even tipped the Italian giants as a Champions League dark horse in 2023. Holding a remarkable 15-point buffer at the top of the Serie A table, the Blues will be desperate to lay down a first-leg marker here. Continuing to gain a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, the midweek guests are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. With the red-hot Osimhen only breaking a host of records on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, we are backing an away victory on Tuesday night.
Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 11/10
