Group F crescendo to sit well in Naples
In one of the more open groups in the Europa League, Napoli host Real Sociedad with avoiding defeat being enough to see them progress. Gennaro Gattuso’s men are in excellent form, winning three of their last four matches to nil and climbing the Serie A table into third place as a result. Real Sociedad also find themselves in the upper echelons of their respective division, sitting second behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, the early season pace setters have slowed up a touch, drawing their last four in all competitions, having one eye on domestic opportunities could hold them back in this fixture.
Recent form
Napoli have really got going in the last few weeks, building huge momentum in an emotional 4-0 win over Roma on November 29, clearly spurred on to honour the late Diego Maradona. Their dynamic attackers in Lorenzo Insigne, Hirving Lozano and Dries Mertens have finally come to the fore and Gattuso has needed them after a slow start to the campaign. They host bottom half side Sampdoria at the weekend so will have full focus on ensuring they get the job done on Thursday.
It feels like this is a bad time to make the trip to Naples for Sociedad, Imanol Alguacil’s side have swapped roles with Napoli, the hosts are experiencing optimistic form that the Spanish side felt at the start of the season and the White and Blues have taken Gattuso’s men’s sluggish performances from the opening exchanges of this campaign. The visitors have only scored four in their last five games and if they do not play on the front foot in midweek, they will come a cropper.
Goals?
Both teams to score is not a bet for me, simply due to the circumstances. A point is enough for Napoli, and these two sides have been strong defensively of late.
- Napoli have scored in nine of 10.
- Napoli have conceded in five of 10.
- Napoli have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- Real Sociedad have scored in seven of 10.
- Real Sociedad have conceded in five of 10.
- Real Sociedad have seen both teams score in four of 10.
You can get both teams to score no at 2.15 with Betfair. With Alkmaar knowing a win against Rijeka will see them through, this match could take on a knockout style, so do not rule out goals but the respective defensive form suggests it will not be so enterprising.
Napoli have the individual quality to get the win and top the group. You cannot blame Real Sociedad for concentrating on La Liga given the opportunity that has presented itself to them this season.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A Willian Jose 92nd minute strike sees late heart break for us. 1-1.