Napoli are looking to secure a place in the Champions League round of 16 as they host SC Braga in their final Group C fixture. The Neapolitans have been out of sorts lately but should do enough to get the required point on Tuesday.
It has been an erratic Champions Napoli campaign for Napoli, who have claimed two wins and suffered two defeats in their five matches. However, they are still in control of their qualification hopes in Group C as a point on Tuesday will see them progress into the round of 16.
Napoli do not head into Tuesday’s clash in the best form having picked up just one win from their last five matches across all competitions. Walter Mazzarri’s men have lost the other four matches and were beaten 1-0 by Juventus in a Serie A fixture last weekend.
The Neapolitans have also had very little home comfort in recent weeks and are winless in their last six matches at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. However, they have lost just once in their last 15 Champions League home matches, although two of the last three meetings in that run have ended in draws.
Having picked up just one win in Group C, Braga kept their hopes of qualifying alive with that 1-1 draw with Union Berlin last time out. Sitting three points behind Napoli on the standings, they need to win by two clear goals to secure a place in the round of 16.
Braga will head to Naples with plenty of confidence as they are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. They claimed a 3-1 victory at Vizela in a Primeira Liga fixture with Simon Banza netting a brace while Bruma was also on target.
Another thing that will give Braga confidence ahead of Tuesday’s clash is their recent record on their travels having lost just once in their last eight away matches. Artur Jorge’s men have been victorious six times in that run, including successive wins in the last three fixtures on the road.
How the bookies view it
Despite their recent problems, Napoli are still considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 1/2 by Coral. A victory for Braga is valued at 5/1 by BetVictor while bet365 is offering odds of 4/1 for a draw.
Head to head
Napoli claimed a 3-1 victory over Braga in the reverse fixture back in September.
Players to watch
Victor Osimhen is still working his way back to full fitness following a recent spell on the sidelines but remains Napoli’s most dangerous attacker. The Nigerian striker has two goals in the last four home matches and is priced at 17/20 by Unibet to find the net on Tuesday.
Alvaro Djalo has been the standout player for Braga in recent weeks with three goals in his last five matches. The striker has also found the net twice in the last three Champions League matches and is priced at 13/2 by bet365 to get on the score sheet on Tuesday.
Anything else catch the eye?
The reverse fixture produced over 2.5 goals which is priced at odds of 8/13 with Unibet. Over 3.5 goals could also be considered at 6/4 with BoyleSports while bet365 is offering odds of 4/5 on both teams to score.
Both teams were on target in the second half in the reverse fixture and a repeat is priced at 9/4 with William Hill. The second half could also be tipped to produce the most goals at evens with bet365.
This UEFA Champions League match between Napoli and SC Braga will be played on Dec 12, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Napoli vs SC Braga prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
