Copenhagen vs Napoli: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
As Napoli faces Copenhagen at Parken Stadion on Tuesday, both teams are in a tight race within the Champions League standings. Currently, they both hold seven points, sitting just above the elimination zone as the league phase nears its conclusion.
Match Preview for Copenhagen vs Napoli
Napoli’s journey through the Champions League this season has been challenging. Their experience includes a painful 6-2 defeat by PSV Eindhoven, which stands as their heaviest loss in European competition. After a series of mixed performances, including a 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, they finally secured a victory against Qarabag.
However, the Italian champions faced another setback with a recent 2-0 loss to Benfica. This puts them at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout stages, an outcome that would be disastrous for the club. All seven points this season have been earned at home, specifically at Stadio Maradona, where Napoli has not lost in over a year. Their away form, on the other hand, tells a different story, with five consecutive defeats in away matches in the Champions League, conceding at least two goals in each game.
Scoring Challenges
- Only Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund have scored for Napoli this Champions League season.
- Statistically, Napoli has scored fewer open-play goals than any other team in this tournament, alongside Pafos.
Since the Champions League paused, Napoli managed to win the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia. However, their Serie A performance has dipped, highlighted by three consecutive draws and a narrow 1-0 win over Sassuolo, leaving them six points behind league leaders Inter Milan.
Copenhagen’s European Aspirations
Similarly, Copenhagen seeks to solidify its position in the Champions League. The Danish side aims for its 50th victory in this prestigious tournament. They started the league phase poorly but rallied with two consecutive wins against Kairat and Villarreal, both matched by 3-2 scores.
Their last match featured goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi, Elias Achouri, and veteran Andreas Cornelius, marking a significant away victory—just their third in 23 matches in the Champions League. However, Copenhagen struggles with defense, having conceded 14 open-play goals, the highest in the current season.
Current Form
- Copenhagen’s recent form in the Champions League: D L L L W W
- Overall all competitions: W L W L W W
- Napoli’s recent Champions League performance: L W L D W L
- Napoli’s overall recent form: W W D D D W
As they prepare for this crucial match, Copenhagen sits fifth in the Superliga, with their league campaign taking a break until next month.
Injury Updates
Injuries are a pressing issue for Napoli, with Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani sidelined. Coach Antonio Conte is already dealing with the absence of key players, including goalkeepers Alex Meret and top scorer Romelu Lukaku. The squad is further challenged with uncertainties surrounding players like David Neres and Eljif Elmas, who reported an illness after the match against Sassuolo.
| Team | Possible Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Kotarski; Meling, Hatzidiakos, Suzuki, Lopez; Madsen, Delaney; Larsson, Elyounoussi, Achouri; Dadason |
| Napoli | Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund |
The match prediction leans towards a draw, as Copenhagen has consistently found the net in their last 19 UEFA home games. Meanwhile, Napoli struggles when playing outside their home ground, making a point likely essential for both teams. The outcome could significantly impact their chances of advancing in the tournament.
