Napoli vs Real Madrid: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Italian champions welcome the European royalties

One of the exciting matches in the Champions League group stage happens in Naples on Tuesday. Italian champions Napoli are hosting Real Madrid at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli just won 4-0 against Lecce in Serie A, while Real Madrid recently beat Girona 3-0 in La Liga. Gli Azzurri have had ups and downs this season in Serie A, but their latest win over Lecce got them 14 points from seven games.

Real Madrid, with a history of 14 European Cups, has been strong this season, with just one loss to Atletico Madrid. They've won every other match, including seven in LaLiga, totaling 21 points. Los Blancos have not been at their best in recent Champions League games, but they've won their last eight matches against Serie A teams and 14 of their last 15 against Italian clubs.

While Real Madrid's away record in the Champions League isn't great, Napoli shouldn't underestimate them because of their storied history in the competition. It would be a surprise if Real Madrid didn't go far this season.

Kick-off

Tuesday, 3 October at 8:00 PM GMT

Wednesday, 4 October at 12:30 AM IST

Location: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Form

Napoli (in all competitions): L-D-W-D-W-W

Real Madrid (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-W-W

Players to watch

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Despite the recent TikTok row, Victor Osimhen has come out and expressed his love for Napoli. He also has been showcasing the same on the pitch. The striker cannot stop scoring. It is business as usual, for him so far. 5 goals in 7 league games, Osimhen has picked up this season from where he left the last. Madrid's defence will have to be wary of the Nigerian.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Just a couple of months in Spain, and he has already made the Madridistas sing "Hey Jude" for him. Jude Bellingham is living the dream right now! The 20-year-old Boy from Brum has a total of 9 G/A in 8 games in all competitions - 7 goals and an assist, a Player of the Month, a trivela assist, and a number of plaudits so far this season.

Match fact

• Real Madrid beat Napoli twice in 2017, both times with a 3-1 score.

Injuries and team news

Napoli Team News:

Gli Azzurri looks short at the back, ahead of the big clash in the UCL. They are dealing with injuries to three key players in Juan Jesus, Amir Rrahmani, and Pierluigi Gollini.

However, there are no fresh injuries to report from their latest win against Lecce. Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano are set to return to bolster the attack. As things stand there may not be any major changes in the starting XI from the home side.

Real Madrid Team News:

Meanwhile, Los Blancos are facing injury setbacks of their own. With Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, and Arda Guler sidelined, they are quite thin. Even though they look in sublime form, one can argue the excellence of the players to cope well with the extent of the injuries the team is facing.

David Alaba's match fitness is uncertain due to the groin injury. Fran Garcia might return at left-back, with Eduardo Camavinga moving back to midfield. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos could be on the bench, and Rodrygo is vying for a spot in the attack alongside Vinicius Junior, despite Joselu's strong early-season form.

Head-to-head

Total matches: 4

Napoli wins: 0

Real Madrid wins: 3

Draws: 1

Predicted lineup for Napoli vs Real Madrid

Napoli (4-3-3)

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Natan, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Real Madrid (4-3-1-2)

Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, F Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Vinicius, Joselu

Match prediction

Considering the current form, and the injury concerns for both sides it is hard to tout either side for a winner. While Madrid and Napoli both have thin squads, they are equally threatening in their attacking department. A hard one to predict, but we are going with a draw.

Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Real Madrid

Telecast details

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports 

US –  CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – SuperSport