FC Porto v Napoli: Preview, predicted line-ups & Champions League tip
Winless Porto host a Napoli side stripped by injuries in a Champions League league-phase tie that neither can afford to lose.
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Porto and Napoli both need a first win of the night
FC Porto will try to end a run of three straight Champions League defeats when they host Napoli in league-phase matchday four, with the play-off places already pulling away from the pair of them.
Napoli sit 24th on three points from three games, the last spot inside the play-off zone. Porto have no points and have not won a game in the competition this season.
It is a tie between two sides who have conceded freely. Porto have let in six goals in three games, Napoli seven.
FC Porto
NapoliHow they got here
Porto's league-phase campaign has been a struggle. They lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City on 8 September, went down 3-2 away to Real Betis on 14 October, then lost 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven on 20 October. They have scored twice in three games, both in Seville, and have failed to score in both home matches.
Napoli have a win, but it was a wild one. They lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal, lost 3-1 at Villarreal on 13 October, then beat Bodo/Glimt 4-3 at home on 20 October. They average 1.7 goals a game and concede 2.3.
Rotation and selection
Rotation is not really an option for either side. Neither can afford another defeat, so both should field the strongest XI they can name.
For Napoli the choice is largely made for them. Nine players are listed as unavailable, which leaves them short at the back and in midfield. Porto have the fitter squad and the easier selection, although the shortage of goals is a worry. They have averaged 9 shots a game over their last three and have had only 39.7% possession.
FC PortoNapoli
Line-ups
FC Porto4-3-3- 99GDiogo Costa
- 52DMartim Fernandes
- 5DJ. Bednarek
- 4DJ. Kiwior
- 20DAlberto Baio
- 10MGabri Veiga
- 13MP. Rosario
- 8MVictor Mow Froholdt
- 17FBorja Sainz
- 19FAndré Silva
- 11FPepê Aquino
Napoli4-3-3- 1GA. Meret
- 31DS. Beukema
- 13DAmir Rrahmani
- 16DRafa Marín
- 26DA. Vergara
- 99MA. Zambo Anguissa
- 6MB. Gilmour
- 8MS. McTominay
- 21FM. Politano
- 19FR. Højlund
- 11FK. De Bruyne
Where to watch FC Porto v Napoli: TV and online streams
The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 4 November and is shown on TNT Sports where selected. This is a single-leg league-phase game, so there is no extra time or penalty shoot-out. A draw is a valid result and both sides take a point.
Stats for FC Porto v Napoli
- Porto have lost all three Champions League games this season and have failed to score in both home matches.
- Porto have conceded 2.0 goals a game in the competition, and 3.0 a game away from home.
- Napoli have scored in all three games and have conceded in every one. They have no clean sheets.
- Napoli's only win this season was 4-3 at home to Bodo/Glimt on 20 October.
Match Result: FC Porto to win
Porto have the fitter squad and the home advantage, and Napoli's injury list is long enough to hurt their defence. Napoli's recent expected goals (1.75 a game) suggest they will find a way through, but Porto's greater strength in depth should be enough to edge a tight contest.