Champions League preview: Liverpool vs Napoli, Marseille vs Spurs
Liverpool vs Napoli
Napoli have scored nine goals in their two previous away games in this Champions League campaign. Luca Spalletti’s side are unbeaten in all competitions this season, too. Beyond this match, maybe it’s worth having a small flutter on the Naples team to go all the way at 16/1…
Regardless, Napoli are absolutely flying. Ordinarily, the prospect of a visit to Anfield might seem a significant threat to any side’s winning run. But a Liverpool side that lost at home to Leeds this weekend?
The traders still make the hosts odds-on favourites to win, and in fairness Liverpool have shown more consistency in the CL this season, winning their last four matches.
There’s another complication too; with both sides already qualified for the round of 16, there’s no need for either team to over-exert themselves. Players will doubtless be rested, too.
Still, Napoli can earn some incidental kudos by winning on Tuesday night; do so, and they’ll pull off the rare feat of having won all their group stage matches.
Still, there’s a fair chance both teams will be satisfied to play out a draw. But certainly, Napoli would seem to represent better value than relying on Jurgen Klopp’s stumbling side. You can get 21/20 on Napoli or the draw in the Double Chance market; if you prefer to throw caution to the wind, the visitors are 3/1 for the win.
Marseille vs Spurs
Tottenham scored three second half goals to complete the comeback against Bournemouth on Saturday. But does that turnaround mark the end of the north London club’s recent malaise?
Antonio Conte raged against the perceived injustice of a VAR decision that denied his side a winning goal against Sporting Lisbon last week. Will the Italian coach be in happier mood at the close of this visit to the Velodrome?
Marseille themselves have been in similarly iffy form to their opponents, with one win in six games across all competitions. They’re also bottom of Group D; but such is the tightness of this group, were they to beat Tottenham they could still finish as winners, if Sporting Lisbon and Eintracht Frankfurt draw.
Past performances don’t tell us everything, but Spurs haven’t ever won an away game against a French side six UEFA encounters.
The visitors only need a draw to guarantee a spot in the last 16; but a draw is not good enough for Marseille, who must try for the win. Spurs haven’t scored a goal in their previous two away games in this CL campaign, incidentally.
Fair to call this one delicately poised, then. Conte is not famed for his prowess in European competition; it would be an incredible disappointment if his side fail to reach the knockout stages, but it’s not out of the question.
Alexis Sanchez is 6/1 to score the opener; the Chilean has found the net in two of his last three CL games. The former Arsenal man may also enjoy the chance to put one past the Gunners’ arch-rivals…
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