Napoli vs Union Berlin: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :November 6, 2023 at 3:06 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:58 AM

The Naples-based outfit will be looking to do the double over Berlin

With 11 Serie A games played for the season, Napoli hold the fourth position as they shift focus to UEFA Champions League football. In the 3 Group stage games of UCL, only Real Madrid could force a 3-2 win out against Gli Azzurri. For Rudi Garcia’s men, this match can help put a strong foot forward in the direction of reaching the next stage of the competition.

Union Berlin will be disgusted with their performances lately. In the last five games in all competitions, the Die Eisernen couldn’t even find the opposition net even once. A defeat here will end their debut Champions League run for the 2023-24 season. This season after 3 matchdays in the UCL competition, the Berlin-based club features among the only three clubs yet to put a point on the Group stage tables.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 8 November 2023 at 5:45 PM UK (11:15 PM IST)

Location: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Form

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

Union Berlin (in all competitions): L-L-L-L-L

Players to Watch

Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli)

In the absence of main striker Victor Osimhen, head coach Rudi Garcia is using Giacomo Raspadori’s services. The Italy international has so far scored a goal each in the last 3 games. In the 2-0 win over Salernitana, Raspadori had scored the opener.

Sheraldo Becker (Union Berlin)

Sheraldo Becker has played 9 Bundesliga games so far but has failed to score even once. Although the player does have 2 assists in his locker. But in the big games, the UCL nights, Becker has scored 2 goals in 3 games. In times when his side is on a poor run of form, Becker is proving his worth.

Match Facts

The away side is in fatal form. In 5 games in all competitions, the Bundesliga outfit has failed to score even once while they are also on a 12-game losing streak
In the last 4 games, the Naples-based club has won 3 and ended the AC Milan tie in a draw
In their only meeting in history, Napoli prevailed 1-0 at the home stadium of Union Berlin

Injury & Team News

Napoli’s head coach Rudi Garcia has their talisman goalscorer Victor Osimhen sidelined alongside youngster Lorenzo Russo. But as the opposition is in a very poor form, he may not even need Osimhen up front. The Nigerian forward though is expected to return to training before the end of next week.

Coach Urs Fischer will need to turn around how things and results have been going so far. The last time Union Berlin faced Napoli, Leonardo Bonucci remained an unused sub. The former Juventus defender should play this time probably changing the outcome of the game. The players out with injuries – Danilho Doekhi, Andras Schafer and goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 1

Napoli wins – 1

Union Berlin wins – 0

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup

Napoli predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Meret (GK); Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia

Union Berlin predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Ronnow (GK); Bonucci, Knoche, Leite; Trimmel, Gosens, Khedira, Aaronson, Haberer; Fofana, Becker

Match Prediction for Napoli vs Union Berlin

Union Berlin will be gutted with their performances so far in their very first season of UEFA Champions League football. Without a point on the table, they are halfway over with the group stage games. If they lose this one, their first-ever run will end in the group stage itself. Rudi Garcia’s Napoli will be looking to do the double over Berlin. Given the Bundesliga club has lost all of their last 12 games in all competitions, it is hard to predict anything but a win for the home team.

Prediction: Napoli 2-0 Union Berlin

Telecast for Napoli vs Union Berlin

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US – CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – Supersport

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.