Football
Liverpool vs. Napoli: Reds backed to ‘claim revenge’ against visiting Italians
Liverpool entertain Napoli on Wednesday evening with one thing on their minds; revenge.
Jurgen Klopp’s men fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stadio San Paolo in the opening round of fixtures. Since then, however, it’s been three wins on the bounce for the Reds.
But results haven’t been as kind to the Italian side since that victory on matchday one.
They’ve narrowly beaten Red Bull Salzburg away from home, but then drew with the Austrian side in Italy, as well as being held to a goalless draw at Genk.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are, however, unbeaten in Group E, and sit one point behind leaders Liverpool heading into the game.
It’s still all to play for in a hugely competitive group, but Liverpool have been given odds of 2/5 to win the game and progress to the knockout stages in doing so.
A draw is currently 15/4. And it’s 13/2 for an away victory, which would see the Italian side qualify for the last 16 with one game to spare.
The visitors sit third overall for attempts on goal in the competition this season, level with Chelsea and behind only Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Their tally is also five better than their upcoming opponents.
Add to that the fact that the Reds are yet to keep a clean sheet in Europe this season, and it could be another tricky Champions League evening for Liverpool.
They will once again be looking to the Anfield faithful to help create the famous atmosphere that has helped the club win so many crucial games over the years.
Dries Mertens has been Napoli’s most dangerous out-ball going forward. He has seven attempts on target from his four games, scoring three of those.
The Belgian is currently 10/1 to score the opener at Anfield on Wednesday, having scored the opener in the reverse leg in Naples.
His fellow forward Arkadiusz Milik has also threatened, hitting the woodwork twice in two appearances. He’s 13/5 to turn around his fortunes and hit the back of the net.
Napoli are incidentally top of the woodwork list, striking the frame of the goal four times.
But despite having registered fewer attempts on goal, Liverpool’s 24 shots on target is superior to Napoli’s 14, proving just how clinical Jurgen Klopp’s men are.
Both Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain boast three Champions League goals this season, and will be out for further success against Ancelotti’s men.
England midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his three in the meetings with Genk, and he’s currently 17/2 to open the scoring should he get the nod to start on Wednesday evening. He’s 12/5 to score anytime throughout the 90 minutes.
His team-mate Salah has once again stepped up to the challenge in Europe this season. The Egyptian is available at 3/1 to open the scoring against Napoli, and 8/11 to score anytime.
It’s 40/1 for a repeat of the 2-0 scoreline that saw Napoli claim all three points back in September.
