Competition:UEFA Champions League
Date:15/02/2017
Day:Wednesday
Kick Off:23:45
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
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Real Madrid Preview
Real kept up their one-point lead at the top of the La Liga table last time out, beating Osasuna 3-1 to deny Barcelona the chance to finish the weekend on top. Still with two games in hand on the rest of their rivals, Real took the lead through a predictable source in Cristiano Ronaldo on twenty-four minutes, although they didn’t go in ahead at the break. Sergio Leon pulled one back for the bottom of the table hosts, but Isco struck shortly after the hour mark to restore their lead. Lucas Vazquez scored in stoppage time to seal the win for Real, who look set to storm their way towards the La Liga title if current form is to be maintained. This could be a truly record-breaking year for Zinedine Zidane at Real, who are now looking to become the first side to win the Champions League in successive seasons since the tournament’s rebrand. Real have suffered just one home defeat in the competition since being eliminated at the semi-final stage in 2011 under Jose Mourinho, where Lionel Messi magic saw them lose 2-0 to Barcelona. Only Schalke have prevailed as winners at the Bernabeu since, although Real still went through after winning the first leg.
Napoli Preview
Napoli’s incredible unbeaten run in all competitions continued last time out, as they beat Genoa 2-0 at home. Midfielder Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring five minutes after half-time before Italian international Emmanuele Giaccherini doubled their lead with twenty minutes to go. Although Juve appear to be running away with the league this year, Napoli’s persistence means they won’t fall away lightly, as this unbeaten run suggests. Maurizio Sarri’s men haven’t lost a game since their final game in October, a 2-1 loss away to Juventus, and have managed to go eighteen games in all competitions without a defeat since. In their Champions League group, they finished top after three wins, two draws and one loss, stealing the top spot from Benfica with a 2-1 win away in Portugal on the final matchday of the group stages. Dries Mertens, in particular, has stood up in the absence of striker Arkadiusz Milik, who is now back in the matchday squads after a cruciate ligament injury denied him the opportunity to build on a bright start to life at his new club.
Real Madrid Team News
Gareth Bale could be set to feature for Real Madrid once again after returning to training from his ankle injury. Toni Kroos is available once again after missing the weekend’s game through suspension.
Napoli Team News
Lorenzo Tonelli is Napoli’s only injury absentee for this one, leaving manager Maurizio Sarri with an otherwise fully-fit team to choose from. Arkadiusz Milik could play his first game for Napoli since October.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Real Madrid have been excellent in the Champions League in recent years, especially at home, with just one defeat on home turf in nearly six years. Napoli’s unbeaten run has been admirable, but I’m expecting it to come to an end here.
Real Madrid win – 8/15
Real Madrid win and over 3.5 goals – 11/5
Real Madrid to score in both halves – 11/10
