Benfica vs Napoli Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Benfica’s unbeaten streak came to a disappointing end on Friday night as Maritimo beat them 2-1 in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and now they have to pick themselves up and play out a crucial match in the last round of the Champions League group stage.

Coming into this final round Benfica, Napoli, and Besiktas are all in with a very good shout of taking the top spot, and none of them are guaranteed qualification to the knockout stages. Napoli currently hold the advantage, with them leading Benfica on head to head results but only one point ahead of 3rd placed Besiktas. If Besiktas win against bottom of the table Dynamo Kiev, one of these two teams will be facing an early exit.

Benfica’s overall form looks very promising though. They have won eight, drawn three, and lost one of their last 12 games in all competitions, and at home they have won six matches on the bounce and haven’t lost all season. Their last competitive defeat at home was in February, and their last five matches have seen them score 17 goals and concede none.

With Jonas sidelined with a long term injury the onus has been on other players to score the goals. Pizzi and Eduardo Salvio have five apiece in all competitions and with three of Salvio’s coming in the Champions League he looks the best choice for our anytime goalscorer predictions.

Napoli’s Jose Callejon has stepped up to the plate since Arkadiusz Milik’s injury, and he has found the net seven times in Serie A. However, he is yet to hit the back of the net in the Champions League, with Dries Mertens’ three goals making him Napoli’s top scorer in the competition.

Napoli began the season very well, but ever since Milik’s injury in October they have struggled. They have won just four of their 11 matches since his injury and they have drawn four of their last six.

Benfica are definitely in the better form of the two sides and have the home advantage as well. They know that they need a win to guarantee qualification, whereas a draw would be enough for Napoli. As a consequence of this we can expect an attacking brand of football from Benfica, and I think they can get the win against the out of sorts visitors. Odds of 1.800 for a Benfica 0.0 Asian Handicap are excellent value, so I’m backing that along with a 2-1 correct score predictions at 17/2.