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THE FACTS
When is Union Berlin vs Napoli on and what time does it start? Union Berlin vs Napoli will take place on Tuesday 24th October, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Union Berlin vs Napoli? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Union Berlin vs Napoli on in the UK? Union Berlin vs Napoli will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Union Berlin vs Napoli in the UK? Union Berlin vs Napoli can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
UNION BERLIN
Union Berlin come into this match having lost their last eight straight fixtures in all competitions, including both their Champions League group games. It has been a nightmare return from Urs Fischer and his side who came into this historic campaign with such optimism, which is being drained away with every loss they suffer. Their most recent defeat was a comprehensive 0-3 beating at the hands of Bundesliga surprise-package Stuttgart.
The worst of those eight losses though, came in their most recent Group C fixture against Sporting Braga. Leading 2-0 at one stage, Union were pegged back by their Portuguese opponents but as they tried to push for a winning goal, the German side were hit by a brutal sucker-punch in the 94th minute, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the group.
NAPOLI
Napoli’s catastrophic defending was ruthlessly exposed by Real Madrid in the Italian champions’ most recent game in Group C. Twice they were forced to come from behind at home to draw level with the Spanish giants before an unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Alex Meret finally proved enough for Real Madrid, the ball ricocheting off Meret’s back and into the net after a Federico Valverde rocket rattled the crossbar.
Napoli come into this game on the back of a comfortable victory away at Verona in Serie A, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring twice. With forward Victor Osimhen having suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Nigeria, the onus will be on the likes of Georgian prodigy Kvaratskhelia to supply the goals for Rudi Garcia’s side in the German capital.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNION BERLIN
Experience will be so important for Union here and with that in mind, Leonardo Bonucci could start at centre-back in place of Robin Knoche. Sami Khedira should also be a welcome presence in central midfield, having missed Union’s opening two group games through injury. Expect Trimmel and Gosens to start at full back with Josip Juranovic out injured and Jerome Roussillon’s fitness questionable.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Bonucci, Leite; Trimmel, Laidouni, Khedira, Tousart, Gosens; Becker, Behrens
UNAVAILABLE: Dehl (Injured), Juranovic (Injured), Schafer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Roussillon (Fitness), Schwolow (Illness)
NAPOLI
Obviously the most notably absence for Napoli will be that of injured star striker Victor Osimhen, The Nigerian international will be replaced by either Giacomo Raspadori or Giovanni Simeone. Also missing though is central midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Mario Rui is likely to continue at left-back due to the questionable fitness of Mathias Olivera.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia
UNAVAILABLE: Anguissa (Injured), Osimhen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Elmas (Injured), Olivera (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Confidence and momentum within the Union Berlin camp must be at rock-bottom following this eight-game losing run and that defensive stability that has served them so well over the past year seems to have eroded. Even without the services of Osimhen, it’s hard not to see Napoli being able to find the net at least once against a Union backline who have shipped ten goals across their last three matches, conceding at least three on each occasion. Not being able to play at their own ground can’t help them either with the cavernous, hostile environment and atmosphere a big miss for them. Therefore, backing a Napoli win has to be favoured.
TIP: NAPOLI TO WIN