Napoli vs Union Berlin Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Napoli vs Union Berlin on and what time does it start? Napoli vs Union Berlin will take place on Wednesday 8th November, 2023 – 17:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Napoli vs Union Berlin? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Napoli vs Union Berlin on in the UK? Napoli vs Union Berlin will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Napoli vs Union Berlin in the UK? Napoli vs Union Berlin can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
NAPOLI
Napoli’s narrow 0-1 win against Union Berlin last time out in the Champions League saw them move three points clear in Braga in Group C, establishing a strong cushion in second-place. Another victory here in the return fixture vs Urs Fischer’s side would leave them on the brink of knockout qualification assuming Real Madrid overcome Braga in Spain.
The reigning Serie A champions come into this contest having not lost in their last four games in all competitions, most recently beating Salernitana 0-2. Napoli found the net at least twice across three of the four matches, which bodes well for them from an attacking perspective here. Giacomo Raspadori has filled the void left by the injured Victor Osimhen, scoring in each of his side’s last three fixtures.
UNION BERLIN
Another two weeks have passed by since Union Berlin’s most recent Champions League encounter and they still cannot stop losing. Since then, Urs Fischer’s men have been knocked out of the DFB-Pokal and lost twice more in the Bundesliga without scoring. It’s now 12 straight defeats in all competitions for Union and to compound their misery, they have gone five games in a row without a goal.
Fischer remains in charge and has been backed by the club hierarchy to turn things around, but it may be too late to save their maidan Champions League campaign. They sit rock bottom of the group with no points on the board and a six-point-gap to make up already with just three rounds of fixtures remaining.
THE TEAM NEWS
NAPOLI
With Osimhen still out with a hamstring injury, expect Raspadori to lead the line once again with Politano and Kvaratskhelia either side of him. Mario Rui may be preferred to Mathias Olivera at left-back, whilst Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa should play in central midfield after not featuring in the reverse fixture through injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Rui; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia
UNAVAILABLE: Osimhen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
UNION BERLIN
Right-back Josip Juranovic is still missing for Union, meaning Christopher Trimmel should remain in that position with Robin Gosens on the left-hand-side. After being left on the bench this past weekend, Kevin Behrens could come back into the starting XI in place of David Datro Fofana to partner Sheraldo Becker. A hip problem continues to side-line goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ronnow; Leite, Knoche, Jaeckel; Trimmel, Khedira, Kral, Laidouni, Gosens; Behrens, Becker
UNAVAILABLE: Schwolow (Injured), Juranovic (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Union Berlin can’t get it right at either end of the pitch at the minute. Not only are they unable to score, they are leaking goals with regularity. The backline which had been such a pillar of success for them last season has been reduced to a shadow of its itself and Napoli are expected to cash in here. It would be no surprise to see Union completely crumble at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, so back Napoli to triumph by at least two clear goals.
TIP: NAPOLI TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
