Napoli v AZ Alkmaar Betting Tips [22 October 2020]

This match has been thrown into chaos after reports claimed that AZ Alkmaar would travel without 13 players who have tested positive for COVID-19 nonetheless, the tie is set to go ahead following a ruling frim UEFA.

After a lacklustre campaign last season consisting of 12 Serie A defeats, Napoli slipped to 7th in the standings and thus found themselves settling for Europa League football after four consecutive seasons at Europe’s top table of the Champions League. As for AZ Alkmaar they were perhaps on course for their first Eredivisie title in 11 years as they were level with Ajax after 25 games but no winner was declared as the season failed to conclude. Dynamo Kiev dumped the Dutch side out of Champions League qualifying meaning AZ will compete at this level again after a good showing last season. 

Napoli were playing in a Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona back in August but were eliminated by the Catalan giants 4-2 on aggregate. However, they have made an impressive start to this campaign with three wins from three games played in the Serie A. I say played as they were controversially handed a 3-0 walkover defeat by Juventus for failing to travel to the game despite alerting authorities about a COVID-19 outbreak in their squad. Nonetheless, the side regrouped to thump Champions League side Atalanta 4-1 at the weekend and they have scored 12 goals in three games so far this term.  

As for the visitors AZ, they too have been finding the net on a regular basis so far this season. They have scored 10 times in four games but are yet to win a single game, in fact they have drawn all four matches so far in the Eredivisie. A 2-2 exchange with Venlo at the weekend follows deadlocks with PEC Zwolle (1-1) Sittard (3-3) and a 4-4 thriller with Sparta Rotterdam. Furthermore, the Dutch outfit scored 15 times as they finished second in their group last year behind Manchester United. 

While I don't expect to see a 4-4 barnburner here I do expect goals in this one and at least three of them. Napoli have started the Serie A campaign like a house on fire and would be top but for their forfeit loss while AZ Alkmaar have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch on the continent so I'm tipping over 2.5 goals in this game.