Porto won 10 out of 10 in the league but faltered in the Champions League: Porto vs. Napoli prediction
On November 4, Porto will host Napoli in the fourth round of the Champions League league phase. The Portuguese side have lost all three of their matches and risk missing out on the playoffs despite their perfect record in the domestic league. The Italians have picked up three points but are going through a difficult spell and have failed to win away from home in the Champions League in seven consecutive matches.
Porto: a perfect league season and three Champions League defeats
Francesco Farioli's team have produced impressive results on the domestic stage. Porto have won all ten of their Portuguese league matches and sit comfortably at the top of the table. In the latest round, the Dragons thrashed Estoril 4-0 and kept a clean sheet. The team have conceded just four goals throughout the league campaign. In the Champions League, however, the situation is the complete opposite: defeats to Manchester City (0-2), Betis (2-3) and PSV (0-1) have left the Portuguese side without a single point.
Before the meeting with Napoli, the hosts have been hit by several squad problems. William Gomes and Vasco Sousa are out injured, while Oscar Pietuszewski and Martim Fernandes remain doubts. Zaidu has also picked up a knee injury. Porto must make the most of home advantage, especially with difficult away trips to Feyenoord and Liverpool still to come. Another dropped points could seriously complicate their bid to reach the playoffs.
Napoli: a Serie A crisis and seven away matches without a win
Massimiliano Allegri's team have also made a poor start to their European campaign. After defeats to Arsenal (0-1) and Villarreal (1-3), Napoli finally claimed their first victory by beating Bodø/Glimt (4-3). Scott McTominay's brace helped the Italians secure their historic 100th win in UEFA competitions. In Serie A, however, things are going considerably worse. Following a 0-2 defeat to Juventus, Napoli sit eighth, 14 points behind league leaders Lazio.
The visitors' main problem is a long injury list. Alessandro Buongiorno, David Neres, Stanislav Lobotka and several other players are unavailable. Rasmus Højlund, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathías Olivera are also doubts. Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, is expected to take the field despite a minor injury. Napoli's away record is another cause for concern: they have failed to win any of their last seven Champions League away matches, losing six of them.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Porto have won all ten of their Portuguese league matches, conceding just four goals
- Napoli have failed to win any of their last seven Champions League away matches
- In the teams' previous meeting in the 2013/14 Europa League, Porto advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score
Can Porto end their losing streak? Porto vs. Napoli prediction
Porto look far more convincing on the domestic stage than they do in the Champions League. However, a home meeting with an inconsistent Napoli gives Farioli's team an excellent opportunity to finally get off the mark. A solid defence and strong motivation should help the hosts control the game.
Napoli are dealing with serious squad issues and regularly drop points away from home. Despite having De Bruyne and McTominay available, the Italians will find it difficult to overcome an organised opponent. We expect a tense encounter in which home advantage will prove decisive.
