UCL 2022-23: Napoli vs Eintracht Frankfurt: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The 2nd leg of UEFA Champions League Round of 16 is underway and we are travelling to Naples to witness if last year’s Europa League Champions can turn the tables with the table topper of Italy.

After a dominating first leg performance by Napoli in their away fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt in Deutsche Bank Park, it wouldn’t be that much of a difficult task for the table toppers in Serie A to advance into the quarters. But Frankfurt’s manager Oliver Glasner might have some tricks up his sleeves to stop that from happening when they will face Luciano Spalletti’s side in Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Kick-off:

Wednesday, 15-03-2023; 8:00 pm (GMT)

Thursday, 16-03-2023; 1:30 am (IST)

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

Eintracht Frankfurt form (in all competitions): D-D-L-L-W

Player to watch

Napoli: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Without a doubt, the 22-year-old Georgian winger has to be the player that everyone will have their eyes on. As much as difficult it is to pronounce his name, it is more difficult to stop this man when he has the ball at his feet. With two goals and four assists to his name so far in this Champions League season, Kvaratskhelia has been an unstoppable force for the Napoli in this season. He has the highest shots on target and successful dribbles per game for Napoli in this Champions League campaign.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Daichi Kamada

The 26-year-old Japanese midfielder has been an important asset for the German squad. With three goals so far, he has the highest number of goals for Frankfurt in this Champions League season. He has played a crucial role in Glasner’s midfield. Making important passes, creating big chances and also helping his team defensively when needed.

Match Facts

• Napoli has won as many games against German opposition in the last two European competitions as they have in the previous 12 such contests (D3 L7). They defeated Eintracht Frankfurt for the first time ever in the opening leg of their match (L2 previously).
• Eintracht Frankfurt's only previous away game against Napoli ended in a 1-0 win, in December 1994 in the UEFA Cup last 16.
• Courtesy of their 2-0 win in the first leg, Napoli is on the verge of reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-final for the first time.
• Eintracht Frankfurt has scored in all three of their UEFA Champions League away games so far (5 goals), winning two and losing one.
• Napoli have scored 22 goals in the UEFA Champions League this season – the last time an Italian side netted more in a single was in 2002-03, with Juventus scoring 30 and Inter Milan netting 26.
• Napoli are unbeaten in their last 11 UEFA Champions League home games (W8 D3), winning all three so far this season. They've scored at least three goals in each victory this term – the only Italian team to win four consecutive home games while scoring 3+ goals each time are Roma between April-October 2018.
• In the first leg, Eintracht Frankfurt had their fewest amount of shots (5), while also facing their highest number of shots (18) in any of their seven UEFA Champions League games.

Teams and Injury News

The health of Alex Meret, Hirving Lozano and Kim Min-Jae is a concern for the Napoli side and their return might be doubtful. The first two were injured before and during Saturday's 2-0 victory over Atalanta, while the Kim was taken off in the last moments because of a calf problem during Saturday’s win. Napoli's lone confirmed absence is Giacomo Raspadori who has been ruled out since mid February.

Frankfrut’s main concern is the suspension of their inform striker Randal Kolo Muani, who was given a red card in the second half of the first leg against Napoli. With crucial players like midfielder Jesper Lindstrom and winger Ansgar Knauff are also out from the German side because of injury. Furthermore, Dina Ebimbe is also out because of a ligament tear since January.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches: 1

Napoli: 1

Eintracht Frankfurt: 0

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

Napoli predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahamani, Min-Jae, Olivera, Zielinski, Lobotka, Anguissa, Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen, Politano.

Eintracht Frankfurt predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Trapp, Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka, Jakic, Rode, Sow, Max, Kamada, Gotze, Borre

Match Prediction

In such a great form, it has to be a routine win for the Italian side. 18 points clear, sitting on top of the league table and the match to be played in their home stadium, Napoli should have an easy win against the German side. Frankfurt does have a lot of key players injured and suspended and it is what will give Napoli an advantage in winning the match. Frankfurt also hasn’t won a single away match in their last six. It should be easy win for the Partenopei.   

Prediction:  SSC Napoli 3-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Telecast:

India – Sony Sports Network, Jio TV, Sony LIV

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US – CBS Sports Network, CBS, Univision, fuboTV, Paramount+

Nigeria – SuperSport