Napoli to give Swansea the Europa League elimination blues

Like his status as manager of Swansea City, Garry Monk must know that the Welsh club are facing a tough task to make their participation in this season’s Europa League anything other than temporary with a visit to Napoli in the offing.

Priced as 6/1 outsiders for victory, the newly-installed boss may well be aware that the Swans best chance of progressing has already passed them by after his side failed to make their domination in front of goal count for anything at the Liberty Stadium last week.

Now they head to the intimidating atmosphere of the Stadio San Paolo to face a Napoli team that has consistently delivered at home in Europe over the years.

Rafa Benitez’s team can count themselves unlucky to not still be involved in Champions League action after claiming four wins from a possible six in the group stage.

The Partenopei have been impressive at home in continental competition so far this term, winning all three of the fixtures played in Naples as part of a run that has seen them remain unbeaten in ten home outings in Europe’s premiere competition.

It’s this kind of form that has seen them priced at 9/20 to win the match and 4/11 to qualify with Swansea needing either a win or a score draw to progress – something they are 2/1.

The Swans have drawn twice on the road in this competition, which started for them back in August, and while they are on at 10/3 to repeat that feat here, the firepower at the disposal of Napoli suggests otherwise.

Napoli’s form man in front of goal remains summer signing Gonzalo Higuain who added another strike to his tally for the term last time out in Serie A to make it five goals in his last four appearances at the Stadio San Paolo.

The Argentine is a tempting 4/5 to score any time against the Swans while you can get 11/10 with Ladbrokes on Higuain scoring and Napoli winning the game.

Wilfried Bony, meanwhile, represents the Welsh club’s most likely scorer, after scoring five goals during the group stage of the competition and though Napoli may ultimately outgun their opponents, the 3/1 on a goal at anytime for the Ivorian is too good to ignore.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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