Napoli v Barcelona Betting Tips: Can Messi lead his side to glory?
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The Champions League kicks back into gear tonight asNapoli host Barcelona in the round of 16.
It’ll be a welcome respite from league duties for both. Barca’s Gerard Pique insists the match is ‘too important’ to think about off-the-field issues amid a fans protest against president Josep Maria Bartomeu during last weekend’s 5-0 win over Eibar.
But equally for Napoli who face an uphill struggle to qualify for next season’s competition in Serie A.
Despite Barcelona’s injury crisis in attack they’re 23/20 to bag a vital away win tonight, while the Gennaro Gattuso’s men are 10/3 to qualify over the two legs.
Fancy Lionel Messi to put on a show? Or can Napoli cometogether and score victory?
MatchOdds
Napoli’s rowdy season may just be the perfect tonic to disrupt Barca tonight,we’ve got them at 9/4 to bag a win – they have already beaten European champions Liverpool at home this season!
Barcelona have won four league games on the spin including the 5-0 mauling of Eibar and sit at 9/2 to win with 4 or More Goals in the match.
A first leg draw comes in at 12/5 with Barcelona 1/5 to qualify.
TalkingTactics
The Catalan’s new striker Martin Braithwaite is ineligiblefor Champions League duty. This coupled with Ousmane Dembele’s long-termabsence could see Arturo Vidal continue on the left-hand side.
Another key decision for gaffer Quique Setien is whether tobring Frenkie De Jong straight back in.
Messi will be the centre-piece of everything, but canAntoine Griezmann emerge from his shadow?
Napoli have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes recently and could continue with their 4-3-3 formation. Diego Demme has fitted in seamlessly since his move from RB Leipzig and Dries Mertens is firing again.
They will have to do it without defensive lynch pin KalidouKoulibaly though as he returns from a hamstring injury.
Goalscorerodds
Messi’s four goal haul against Eibar was the Argentine at his absolute best. You can find him at 16/5 to open the scoringand 11/2 to notch two or more.
Griezmann is 21/10 anytime with Pique at 12/1 to notch. Vidal’s more advance position could prove vital and is 7/1 to net last.
Napoli’s front-runner is Arkadiusz Milik at 21/10 anytime, with Mertens up next at 23/10.
Match Info
Where: San Paolo Stadium
When: 8:00pm, Tuesday 25th February
How to watch: BT Sport 3
All odds and markets correct asof date of publication
