The Italians can punish the favorite's problems: Villarreal vs Napoli prediction
The second-round clash of the Champions League league phase between Villarreal and Napoli will take place on Tuesday at the Ceramica. The hosts began the tournament with a 2-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, while Napoli suffered a narrow 0-1 loss to Arsenal.
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Villarreal: promising spells fail to turn into consistency
Inigo Perez's side have made an uneven start to the season. After going six matches without a win, the Yellow Submarine managed to claim two victories before the international break, but immediately afterward lost 0-1 to Real Madrid despite playing with a numerical advantage from the 73rd minute.
The problem remains the same: finishing and performances against strong opponents. Despite generating 20.23 xG, Villarreal have scored just 15 goals, while they regularly drop points against top-level teams. The situation is further complicated by the absences of Nicolas Pepe and Tajon Buchanan.
Napoli: three straight wins and McTominay's return
Massimiliano Allegri's side endured a difficult spell with three consecutive defeats to Como, Inter and Arsenal, but then noticeably improved. Before their trip to Spain, Napoli won three straight Serie A matches, and after the break they comfortably defeated Frosinone 3-0.
One of the biggest pieces of positive news was the return of Scott McTominay, who could make his first start since August. Napoli have also tightened up defensively: across their last three matches, their opponents created chances worth just 2.02 xG.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Villarreal have won only two of their last eight matches.
- Napoli come into this clash on the back of three consecutive victories.
- Only one team has scored in four of the last six head-to-head meetings.
The visitors' counterattacks could decide the outcome: Villarreal vs Napoli prediction
Villarreal are capable of dominating possession and pressing aggressively, but those very conditions could suit Napoli. Allegri's side favor a patient approach and know how to exploit the spaces left behind after their opponents lose the ball.
Current form and McTominay's return also work in the visitors' favor. If Napoli maintain their recent defensive solidity, one clinical moment could be enough to secure victory.
