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Napoli vs FC Zurich Predictions

  • 17:55
  • Expired
  • Stadio San Paolo
Napoli
    FC Zurich
      • BT Sport 1

      odds when tipped

      odds when tipped

      Napoli vs FC Zurich Predictions

      After securing some pleasing results at home against some good sides in the group stages of this competition, Zurich may have fancied themselves to compete against Napoli last week, though they were unable to withstand the pressure from the Italian side, especially in the first half and thus they find themselves travelling to Naples off the back of a 1-3 first-leg defeat. Having shipped three goals on home soil, it’s hard to see anyway back for Ludovic Magnin’s men.

      Napoli did indeed better their opponents in the first leg, though it’s easy to feel that the 1-3 score-line flattered them a tad. In terms of overall quality, the Italian club showed a good bit more than their Swiss counterparts, though they didn’t look overly astute at the back and were guilty of giving away numerous openings. In truth, given that they clocked 2.0 expected goals for, Zurich would’ve scored more than once had they had a better finishing touch. To put it simply, end-product was essentially the difference between the teams, as they created more or less the same in terms of chances.

      Fortunately for the hosts, they’re now in a position of power; they scored three away goals and have the luxury of a two-goal aggregate lead ahead of this second leg. This means that they can be patient and wait for the visitors to attack before taking advantage on the break. In addition to being in a commanding position in this tie, Napoli boast an encouraging home record this season. Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten at San Paolo Stadium in Serie A, while they’ve won seven of their last ten at this venue, scoring a total of 21 goals and conceding just five in the process. They’re also averaging a very pleasing 2.14 expected goals for at home and are conceding an average of just 0.65. Such figures suggest that Zurich have their work cut out.

      Zurich were unlucky in the first leg; they created more than the score-line would have us believe and they really ought to have gone to Italy with more to show for their efforts on home soil. However, they were unable to capitalise on some good spells and thus it’s easy to feel that their chance has gone. For all they played well in that first leg and for all they were very good at home during the groups, their recent travelling efforts in this competition don’t exactly bode well.

      During the group stages, Zurich struggled to impose themselves offensively on the road. They scored away against both Larnaca and Ludogorets, but they were unable to find the net away against Leverkusen, while they didn’t exactly come close to scoring either. Moreover, they averaged just 0.78 expected goals away from home during the groups, so it’s probably fair to say that they lacked creativity.

      Before the knockouts began, Zurich didn’t give too much away on the road, though we’ve already seen that they can be opened-up quite easily by Napoli. With the way this tie is now set up, it’s easy to see the visitors struggling.

      The bet that stands out ahead of this fixture is ‘Napoli -2 Asian Handicap’. In all honesty, if Zurich were going to stand a chance of qualifying for the next round, they had to get something in front of their own fans. Having failed to do that, the Swiss side are now there to be got at. The Italian outfit showed that they’ve got more than enough quality to really hurt Thursday’s visitors, who’re in real danger of being torn apart now that they must chase the game. If we consider this in conjunction with the fact that Napoli have looked menacing going forward at home this season and the fact that Zurich struggled offensively on the road earlier in this competition, then backing the hosts to cover the above handicap looks a solid option.

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