Champions League: Can Frankfurt Fend Off Kvaradona’s Napoli?

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli

With the Scudetto seemingly all sewn up, runaway Serie A leaders Napoli now set their sights on the Champions League as they face reigning Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their  Round of 16 tie.

The Neapolitans have been close to unstoppable all season long, and with their dynamic duo of Victor Osimhen and Khvica Kvaratskhelia in fantastic form, they look like the best team in all of Europe at the moment.

But the Eagles of Frankfurt are in fine form themselves, particularly at home, and will be keen to defy the Champions League 2023 odds against red-hot Napoli.

Talking Points

Frankfurt in fabulous form, especially at home

Eintracht Frankfurt will head into this round of 16 tie in fine form. They are coming off a 2-0 home win over Werder Bremen over the weekend, their third win in their last four games.

Their 2-0 defeat to Koln the other week was their first loss in their last 11 games in all competitions (7 wins, 3 draws).

Frankfurt’s home form has been simply fantastic of late. They have won each of their last five games in all competitions at Deutsche Bank Park, with 16 goals scored and just 4 conceded.

Although, their Champions League home record during the group stage was mixed. After a stunning 3-0 loss to Sporting, they rallied to draw with Tottenham and defeat Marseille.

Napoli the best team in Italy – and Europe?

The Serie A title race seems to be all over as Napoli continue to run away at the top. They preserved their 15-point lead over Inter with another routine 2-0 win over Sassuolo at the weekend. It was the Azzurri’s seventh straight win in Serie A as they remain the hottest team in all of Europe at the moment.

Luciano Spelletti’s side have suffered just three defeats all season long: the first was a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in a dead rubber Champions League group stage finale. The second was their 1-0 loss away to Inter upon returning from the World Cup break. And the third was a penalty shootout loss to Cremonese in the Coppa Italia.

The plaudits continue to rain down on Napoli’s dynamic attacking duo of Victor Osimhen and breakout youngster Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (more on them in a bit), but their defence also deserves much credit. Napoli have conceded just 15 goals in 23 games – the best defensive record in Serie A – with just 3 goals conceded in 8 games in 2023.

Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia vs Kolo Muani

This round of 16 tie will showcase not one, not two, but three of the brightest young attacking talents in all of Europe who will be keen to deliver some Champions League 2023 highlights.

Napoli possess two of them in the incredible Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, who have both been outstanding since the break. Osimhen has scored in five straight Serie A games to take his tally up to 18 goals on the season. Not to be outdone, Kvaratskhelia has scored in 4 out of the last 5 games, with 4 assists.

But Eintracht Frankfurt have a rising star of their own in Randal Kolo Muani, who has also been absolutely phenomenal since returning from the World Cup with France. The 24-year-old forward has scored 7 goals in his last six games to give him 10 goals on the season.

He also leads the Bundesliga with 10 assists, the only player in the top 5 European leagues besides the great Lionel Messi and Neymar to have double-digit goals and assists this season.

Frankfurt also have a couple of other capable attackers in Daichi Kamada and Jesper Lindstrom (7 Bundesliga goals each), but Kolo Muani will be the key to unlocking Napoli’s outstanding defence.

History

This will be the third time Eintracht Frankfurt and Napoli will meet in European competition. Their last encounter came back in the last 16 of the 1994-95 UEFA Cup. Eintracht Frankfurt came out on top as they won both legs 1-0.

Frankfurt have a fine record against Italian opposition, with 6 wins, 3 draws and just 2 defeats in their last 11 matches.

Meanwhile, Napoli have a spotty away record against German opponents, with just 2 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in their last 12 away assignments. Although, they have beaten each of their last two German foes, Wolfsburg in 2015 (4-1) and RB Leipzig in 2018 (2-0).

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Napoli installed as slight 2.19 favourites to escape with an away win in the first leg in Frankfurt. Eintracht are priced at 2.84, while a draw is 3.45.

Given how well they are playing, it’s hard to bet against Napoli. Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have been simply outstanding of late, and as impressive as Frankfurt’s home form has been, the Eagles will struggle to keep those two quiet.

 

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