Barcelona v Napoli Betting Tips [17 February 2022]

Barcelona are going through a rough patch and the draw with Espanyol in their last game will not help ease things for the Catalans. They are set to host Italian side Napoli in the knockout playoffs for the Europa League, a stage the Spanish giants are not so used to. The last time Barcelona played in Europe’s second tier competition was in 2004. Their appearance at this stage is a result of a dismal performance in the Champions League, and a highlight of just how bad their season has been. They are coming from a 2-2 draw with crosstown rivals Espanyol, and Barcelona needed a stoppage time goal to level the game, which ended with three players sent off at the end of the clash. The Catalans have strengthened a bit after a tough first half of the season but there seems to lack a rhythm still in the team. Defensively, they have struggled a lot, and going to this game, Barcelona have conceded two or more goals in four of the last five matches. Both sides have scored four of Barcelona’s last five matches and they have just one clean sheet in that run.

Napoli, on the other hand, are more used to playing at this stage and will be looking to impose themselves over a shaky Barcelona in the first leg of this tie. The Italians will be well aware that Barcelona struggled in the Champions League, managing just two wins in their six group matches. With this they will be gunning for an advantage in this clash. However, just like Barcelona, they have their own defensive issues, with two clean sheets only in the last five matches. Napoli are coming from a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Serie A, their fourth straight unbeaten outing and the third match in five that both sides have managed to score. In five of their six group stage matches, Napoli scored two or more goals and both sides scored in five of the six matches.

Napoli go to this clash with two clean sheets in their last five matches, and Barcelona one in their last five games. Clearly, these two sides aren’t the best defensively and most of their matches have been high scoring. In their defensive shapes, and considering they have some of the top forwards around, back both teams to score.