Napoli v Arsenal Betting Tips: Gunners to finish the job in Naples?
Odds and preview ahead of Europa League tie
Arsenal took a huge step towards the Europa League semi-final with a 2-0 home win over Napoli in their quarter-final first leg last week.
Unai Emery’s side are in a strong position, but they can’t underestimate Napoli, who will be motivated to put in a better performance to turn the tie around.
Can Carlo Ancelotti’s team perform a miraculous comeback, or will the Gunners see it through?
The action kicks off live from 8:00pm on BT Sport 2HD…
Head-to-head
An Aaron Ramsey goal, followed by a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal secured a 2-0 home win for Arsenal in the first leg to leave them with one foot in the semis.
Each of their three previous meetings have finished in a 2-0 scoreline, with Napoli’s sole win sandwiched between a pair of Arsenal victories.
The atmosphere in the San Paolo Stadium should be electric. Will history repeat itself with a 2-0 Napoli win, or can Arsenal break the trend and get a result away from home?
Likely XIs
Napoli: Meret; Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Rui; Allan, Fabian Ruiz, Zielinski; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne.
Arsenal: Cech; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Emery will be looking for his side to keep it tight at the back and nullify any threat that Napoli have. Sokratis has been a rock in his role this season, but a change of approach from the Naples side could provide a sterner test.
On their day, the Napoli front three of Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne could carve apart any defence. Ancelotti could risk it and stick with that same formula hoping for a different outcome this time, but Arkadiusz Milik provides a different option that could shock the Gunners.
Lucas Torreira has been struggling with an injury in recent weeks, despite continuing to play. He has made the trip to Naples, but could take up a bench role to rest. The lesser spotted Denis Suarez is also struggling with an injury, and he has stayed in London.
Raul Albiol and Amadou Diawara miss out through injury for Napoli.
Key Battles
Aaron Ramsey celebrates his first leg goal
If Arsenal grab an away goal, the tie is all but over. The Napoli back line will have to stop the Gunners front line from running rings around them, and close all gaps that could see Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Mesut Ozil pass it through the eye of a needle.
The interchangeable front three of Mertens, Insigne and Callejon play free-flowing and fast attacking football that Arsenal managed to stop at the Emirates, but they’ll have to get a grip on it early doors.
Ramsey could play in a deeper role this evening to cover for the missing Torreira, but he’s a threat wherever he is on the pitch. The Welshman has had a stellar season so far, and is aiming to impress further in his final few months donning the Arsenal shirt.
Match Odds
Napoli come into the game as the favourites to pick up the home win at 7/10, but they’re still outsiders to overturn the first leg result and qualify for the semis at 3/1.
The second leg is perfectly poised, but Arsenal will be hoping they can get the job done with a win. They’re 19/5 to win at the San Paolo, and 2/9 favourites to make it to the last four.
All previous matches between the two have finished 2-0 to the home team. Could Napoli win 2-0 and take the tie to extra time? We’ve got 17/2 on a Napoli 2-0 win.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has four goals in the Europa League this season and is Arsenal’s top scorer in the competition. He’s 11/2 to break the deadlock, or a 15/8 anytime scorer.
Mertens and Insigne are among the favourites to get on the scoresheet for the home side. They’re 9/2 to score first, or 6/4 to net anytime.
View the latest Napoli v Arsenal odds at Coral.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
