Champions League Preview and Odds - Real Madrid vs Napoli

Published on: 14/02/2017

Champions League Preview and Odds - Real Madrid vs Napoli

February 15, 2017 19:45pm - Estádio Santiago Bernabeu

Referee: TBC

Champions League - Knockout Stage

Real Madrid will continue the defence of their European crown when they welcome last-16 dark horses Napoli to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Holders face Italy`s in-form team

Real Madrid remain perched on top of the La Liga table with a one point lead over rivals Barcelona. What`s more, Zinedine Zidane`s men have a healthy two games in hand over the Catalans. A 3-1 win away to Osasuna at the weekend confirmed their status at the top and ensured that they would resume their Champions League campaign on the back of a win.

While Los Blancos look set to ease their way towards a long-overdue League title, a record-breaking 12th European title is also still on the cards. However, if they are to retain their crown, they will have to overcome the challenge of one of Europe`s in-form teams.

The 12-time former champions have lost just one home match in this tournament since being dumped out at the semi-final stage by Barcelona in 2011. That solitary defat came against Schalke, although it was not enough to eliminate the Spanish side on that occasion.

Anyone who has watched Napoli play in recent months will no doubt be licking their lips in anticipation at this game. The Italians are on an unbeaten run of 18 games in all competitions that stretches back to the end of October, when they were beaten away from home by Serie A leaders Juventus.

However, it is not just the winning run that has been impressive, it has also been the manner in which they have played that has caught the eye. The Partenopei have been playing some scintillating football under Maurizio Sarri and have scored a league-best 57 goals. And while a league title still looks out of reach, there is a feeling that this current team is capable of something special. Could this match provide that moment?

Team news

Gareth Bale is back in training for Los Blancos but is unlikely to feature, while Danilo is out with a skin laceration.

Lorenzo Tonelli is the only significant absentee for the visitors.

Recent form (All competitions)

Real Madrid: WWDWL

Napoli: WWDWW

Betting odds and tips

Only Celta Vigo have beaten Real Madrid on their own patch this season but there are definite similarities between the way the Galician team and Napoli play. Whats more, Borussia Dortmund also grabbed a draw at the Bernabeu in the Group Stages of this competition. The season before, Juve also held the Merengue to a 1-1 draw in Madrid on their way to the final.

If Napoli bring their A game to the Spanish capital, they could cause big problems for Zidane`s men. As a result, we think the 7/5 for the Napoli/Draw Double Chance looks great value.

You can back Napoli/Draw Double Chance at 7/5 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 14/02/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (14/02/2017 15:27:58) but are subject to change.