Will Legia pull off the next coup in the EL?
Over the last few years, Legia Warsaw have been making primarily negative headlines on the international stage – especially in the qualifiers. After all, the “Legionisci” were even eliminated from the competition by clubs from dwarf states, among others. This makes this year’s season all the more pleasing, at least in the European Cup.
Nationally, Legia Warsaw is in free fall. In the Ekstraklasa, Legia are currently 15th in the table, only two points ahead of the relegation places. Legia recently lost the top match against Lech Poznan, the leader of the Ekstraklasa. It is quite possible that the next setback will follow in the Europa League.
After all, the reigning Polish champions are guests at SSC Napoli. The top club from Italy has so far recorded only one point in the first two group matches. Accordingly, the home match against Legia is of immense importance, especially as in the best possible scenario it could even mean second place.
As the odds comparison of the betting base shows, the Partenopei from Campania is the clear favourite against the Polish guests. For a home win of Napoli vs. Legia Warsaw, odds of only 1.17 are offered at the top. In the event of a win by the visitors, however, odds of more than 10.00 are on offer.
Napoli – Statistics & current form
Napoli have made a false start in the European Cup so far. Like Leicester, who are in last place with the worse goal difference, Napoli have only one point on their account so far. The Partenopei won that point in their opening match against Leicester City, but suffered a surprising defeat against Spartak Moscow in their last group match.
Although Napoli played for long stretches with a shorthanded team, the defeat against their Russian rivals was by no means to be glossed over. After all, they conceded a total of three goals in their clash with Spartak, who were in poor form. One consolation was the strong start to the Serie A season.
The Partenopei won eight games in the first eight matchdays. With 24 points on their account, SSC Napoli now lead the table in the Italian top flight. Before the home match against Legia Warsaw, there was a successful dress rehearsal against Torino FC in the league, where the “Gli Azzurri” even kept their clean slate.
Napoli underpin their own home strength?
Last time SSC Napoli met the visitors from Warsaw in Campania, there was a clear victory (5:2) over Legia after an offensive spectacle by the Partenopei. In the third group match of the current Europa League, the Italians are now aiming for another success against the reigning Polish champions.
The recent home record in the Europa League – Napoli lost three of their last six home games – should not be overestimated. In particular, the last home match against Spartak, where Napoli were sent off just a few minutes into the game, is of little significance for the match against Legia.
SSC Napoli have never lost against a Polish team before. In four games against Polish teams, the Partenopei have won three and drawn one. If the record is extended on Thursday evening, odds of 1.17 will be paid on Napoli vs. Legia Warsaw for tip 1.
Predicted Napoli line-up:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Rui; Anguissa, Ruiz, Elmas; Insigne, Osimhen, Politano
Last matches played by Napoli:
Series A
10/17 2021 – SSC Naples 1 – 0 Torino
10/03 2021 – AC Florence 1 – 2 SSC Naples
Europa League Grp.C
09/30 2021 – SSC Naples 2 – 3 Spartak Moscow
Series A
09/26 2021 – SSC Naples 2 – 0 Cagliari
09/23 2021 – Sampdoria Genoa 0 – 4 SSC Naples
Legia Warsaw – Statistics & current form
Internationally, the “Legionisci” have caused a sensation so far, but the reigning champions have made a false start in the league. After nine matchdays, Legia Warsaw are 15th in the table. The lead over the red zone – with one game less on the account – is only two points.
The recent defeat in the top match against Lech Poznan was therefore all the more serious. Although the defending champions from Warsaw delivered a match on a par, there was a narrow defeat against the league leaders. The “Legionisci” thus missed a great chance to reduce the gap to Lech Posen.
In the Europa League, the Polish champion may now face the next setback. After all, Legia have never won a competitive match against Thursday’s opponents from the Campania capital. In two games against SSC Napoli, Legia Warsaw have suffered two defeats – the last time in December 2015.
Legia’s group lead just a snapshot?
So far, there have been two wins for the supposed underdogs from Poland in the first two group matches. In Moscow, Legia beat Spartak 1-0, while in the second group match, there was a narrow home victory (1-0) against Leicester City. The performances of the Polish defensive bulwark were particularly praiseworthy.
Head coach Czeslaw Michniewicz will be able to draw on a full squad for the away game in Campania. Only Bartosz Kapustka will have to miss the third Europa League group match due to injury, with no other absentees for the visitors from Warsaw.
Predicted line-up of Legia Warsaw:
Miszta; Johansson, Wieteska, Nawrocki, Mladenovic; Josue, Slisz; Kastrati, Muci, Luqinhas; Emreli
Last matches played by Legia Warsaw:
Ekstraklasa
10/17 2021 – Legia Warsaw 0 – 1 Lech Poznan
10/03 2021 – Lechia Gdansk 3 – 1 Legia Warsaw
Europa League Grp. C
09/30 2021 – Legia Warsaw 1 – 0 Leicester
Ekstraklasa
09/25 2021 – Legia Warsaw 2 – 3 Rakow Czestochowa
FA Cup
09/22 2021 – Wigry Suwalki 1 – 3 Legia Warsaw
Napoli – Legia Warsaw Direct comparison / H2H record
So far, the two clubs have met twice. Both matches were won by SSC Napoli. In the 2015/16 Europa League group stage, there was a 2-0 away win for the Partenopei in the first leg. In addition, Napoli also won the second-round match at home, scoring five goals against the “Legionisci”.
Napoli – Legia Warsaw Tip
When considering how strong SSC Napoli started the current Serie A season, their false start in the group stage of the 2021/22 Europa League came as more than a surprise. In contrast to the domestic competition, where Napoli have won all their games in the Italian top flight so far, Napoli are still waiting for a treble in the European Cup after two attempts.
Most recently, SSC Napoli even squandered home advantage against Spartak Moscow, suffering their third home defeat in the last six EL home games. Because the Partenopei played with a shorthanded team for long stretches, the result is of little significance, at least with regard to the upcoming home match.
We expect an act of defiance from Napoli, who will set the course for a comeback in Group D with a win over Legia. Our tip for Napoli vs. Legia Warsaw is “HT/FT: 1/1” at good betting odds. We are using a total of six out of ten possible units for this.
