Napoli are eager for revenge

The knockout stage of the Europa League is within reach for SSC Napoli. With seven points from four group games, the “Partenopei” currently leads Group C. Mathematically, however, everything is still possible in the group – especially on this matchday. After all, Napoli’s lead over Wednesday’s opponents from Moscow is only three points.

In the first half of the season, Napoli already lost to Spartak Moscow – despite home advantage, mind you. If the visitors from Campania now lose their second-round match away from home, the Russian representatives will not only draw level on points but, in the best possible scenario, also take the lead in the group.

At the moment, however, there are few arguments to back up a prediction on the hosts from Russia when it comes to Spartak Moscow against Napoli. Indeed, Spartak are in a crisis of form and have failed to win any of their last seven competitive games across the competition.

Napoli, on the other hand, had been in fine form prior to their recent defeat to Inter Milan, going eight consecutive unbeaten before the international break. The “Partenopei” even managed to win six of the eight competitive matches during this period. Among them was the last group match in the Europa League, where Napoli ensured a clear balance of power with a 4:1 win in Warsaw.

Spartak Moscow – Statistics & current form

Spartak Moscow remain the problem child of the Premier League. Last season, the “Narodnaya komanda” were runners-up in the Russian top flight, but this season they are still in mid-table. So far, Spartak have only 19 points after 15 match days in the Premier League.

This means that they are already 14 points behind the top of the table. The gap to the relegation places, on the other hand, has narrowed considerably in recent weeks. Only five points separate Spartak from Novgorod in 13th place. Just like before the international break, the Red and Whites’ recent form crisis continued last weekend.

In Krasnodar, the “Narodnaya komanda” suffered their sixth league defeat of the current season. It was also the seventh winless match in a row for the Red and Whites. Rui Vitória’s side may face another setback this week as they host Serie A leaders SSC Napoli.

Does Spartak show an act of defiance against Napoli?

The only encouraging thing for the Russian representatives on Wednesday night is their previous record against the visitors from Naples. In three competitive matches with the “Partenopei”, Spartak Moscow have so far remained unbeaten. In the last encounter in the first leg of the current group stage, Spartak even beat Napoli in normal time for the first time.

However, the result should not be overestimated with regard to the second-round match. For long stretches, the Moscow team had benefited from overtime. Napoli were sent off in the 29th minute. Since then, Spartak have lost one match and drawn with Leicester in the group.

Rui Vitória is still without five players for the home match against the Italian visitors due to injury. Compared to the squad that was last in action in Krasnodar, there are no changes in the host from Moscow. If the “Narodnaya komanda” shows an act of defiance on Wednesday evening and wins the home match, odds of 5.75  are paid out on Spartak Moscow vs Napoli for tip 1.

Predicted line-up of Spartak Moscow:
Selikhov – Caufriez, Gigot, Dzhikiya – Moses, Ignatov, Litvinov, Ayrton – Larsson, Sobolev, Promes

Last matches played by Spartak Moscow:

Premier League
11/20 2021 – FK Krasnodar 2 – 1 Spartak Moscow

11/07 2021 – Spartak Moscow 1 – 1 Lokomotive Moscow

Europa League Grp. C
11/04 2021 – Leicester 1 – 1 Spartak Moscow

Premier League
10/30 2021 – Spartak Moscow 1 – 1 FK Rostov

10/24 2021 – Zenit St. Petersburg 7 – 1 Spartak Moscow

Napoli – Statistics & current form

Last week, SSC Napoli conceded a Serie A defeat for the first time this season. In the top match against the defending champions from Milan, the “Partenopei” only narrowly missed a draw. After taking an early lead, SSC Napoli conceded two goals in the course of the first half.

Nevertheless, the “Gli Azzurri” are still the leaders in the Italian top flight – equal on points with AC Milan, mind you. The next top match in Serie A is already on the agenda this weekend with the match against Lazio Roma.

For the time being, however, the focus is on the away game in Moscow. After all, if they are successful, SSC Napoli have the chance to book their ticket to the knockout phase one matchday before the end of the group stage. With shooting assistance, there is even the chance of an early group victory in the Europa League.

Will Napoli get their frustrations off their chest in Moscow?

If you take a look at their away form this calendar year, three points with the Muscovites is quite obvious. Season and competition-wide, SSC Napoli remained unbeaten away from home for a total of 12 consecutive competitive matches prior to the recent away defeat in Lombardy.

In that period, Napoli went scoreless in only one away game. If the recent momentum is carried over, it stands to reason that the “Partenopei” can also be expected to score a few goals against their poorly-formed hosts from Moscow. Due to injury, SSC Napoli will miss the match in Moscow on Wednesday evening with a total of five players.

Among the injured is Victor Osimhen. The star striker of the “Gli Azzurri” had to leave the pitch during the top match against Inter Milan due to injury and will also be unavailable for the European Cup for the time being. In his absence, head coach Luciano Spalletti will probably rely on Dries Mertens. Otherwise, the changes are expected to remain manageable.

Predicted Napoli line-up:
Ospina – Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Rui – Lobotka, Ruiz – Lozano, Zielinski, Insigne – Mertens

Last matches played by Napoli:

Serie A
11/21 2021 – Inter Milan 3 – 2 SSC Napoli

11/07 2021 – SSC Napoli 1 – 1 Verona

Europa League Grp. C
11/04 2021 – Legia Warsaw 1 – 4 SSC Napoli

Serie A
10/31 2021 – Salernitana 0 – 1 SSC Napoli

10/28 2021 – SSC Napoli 3 – 0 Bologna

Spartak Moscow – Napoli Direct comparison / H2H record

These two clubs have met three times on the international stage. Spartak Moscow have so far remained unbeaten in all three competitive matches with SSC Napoli. Before the recent victory in Campania (3:2), Spartak Moscow had two goalless draws in a row against Napoli. All the more surprising, therefore, was the offensive spectacle in the first leg of the current EL group stage.

Spartak Moscow – Napoli Tip

In the last two matchdays, SSC Napoli have been the beneficiaries of losing points from their group rivals in the Europa League. After all, the “Partenopei” from Campania are at the top of the table two matchdays before the end of the group stage after their false start in the European Cup. With another win, they can now secure their place in the knockout phase.

The upcoming away match in Moscow will set the tone for the Serie A leaders. The Wednesday opponents of the “Partenopei” are currently in catastrophic shape and have not won any of their last seven matches. As expected, the Italian guests are the clear favourites for the match against the Muscovites.

As in the away match in Warsaw, we expect a clear victory for SSC Napoli this time as well. Luciano Spalletti’s team shouldn’t have too much trouble against the in-form hosts from Russia and should bag three important points.

With a stake of five units, we place our bet on Spartak Moscow vs Napoli at reasonable odds on the guests from Campania. Risk-averse bettors can also place bets on “HT/FT: 2/2” on Wednesday’s match. In case of success, quotes above the 2.00 mark are offered for this.