Injury-stricken Napoli will be missing key players in the lineup when they collide with FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday, 4 November.
FC Porto Possible Lineup vs Napoli
FC Porto has most of its key players available for selection when the Portuguese powerhouse squares off against Napoli.
Francesco Farioli will have no headache selecting a strong lineup as the majority of his players who understand his favourite 4-3-3 formation are fully fit.
Samu Aghehowa is also back in the starting eleven and will play as the focal point of Porto’s attack. The aerial threat will give Napoli’s weakened defence problems in the air and during offensive transitions.
Gabri Veiga has also been a consistent performer this season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in ten Liga Portugal appearances.
Borja Sainz has also been enjoying his football at FC Porto, and his goal contribution is a testament to his clinical finishing. The Spanish left winger has netted five goals and assisted once in ten league games.
FC Porto possible lineup vs Napoli (4-3-3): D Costa; Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zaidu; Froholdt, Rosario, Veiga; Pepe, Samu, Sainz.
Napoli Possible Lineup vs FC Porto
Massimiliano Allegri will not be able to put together his best lineup when the Italians travel to Portugal. Gli Azzurri are missing some of their star players, who sustained serious injuries in Serie A.
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is reportedly out for the FC Porto clash due to abductor discomfort following a tense battle with Juventus over the weekend.
The Italian giants will also be missing speedy and skillful winger David Neres, who has been ruled out until mid-November due to a hamstring injury. Rasmus Hojlund, who normally leads the line, is also out with the flu.
Kevin De Bruyne, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to AC Milan, is also a doubt. He could not finish the clash between Napoli and Juventus on 1 November. He played only the first half when his side lost 2-0.
While Allegri is missing some of his go-to stars, especially defenders, he will rely heavily on consistent performers such as Scott McTominay, Matteo Politano, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
McTominay and Politano are crucial members of Allegri’s attack, and they’ve scored and assisted in some of the big matches that Napoli has played this season.
Napoli possible lineup vs FC Porto (4-3-3): Merit; Marin, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Beukema; De Bruyne, Anguissa, McTominay; Politano, Lucca, Lang.
Prediction: FC Porto vs Napoli in the UEFA Champions League
FC Porto have the full backing of their fans and are used to playing at their home ground. With the stadium atmosphere favouring the reigning Liga Portugal champions, Napoli has no chance of coming out victorious at Estadio do Dragao.
Farioli’s men, who are confident after recording three back-to-back wins, have not tasted victory in the Champions League league phase. They’ve lost all three matches they’ve played.
The game against Napoli is a perfect chance for Farioli’s charges to redeem themselves in the elite European competition. Porto’s left side poses a massive threat for Allegri’s team.
Sainz and Veiga, who operate on the left side of the field, have 10 goals between them in the league and have contributed five assists.
The likes of Rafa Marin and Politano will have a hard time neutralising Sainz, a tactically gifted left-winger, and Veiga, an intelligent and tactically aware attacking midfielder.
The FC Porto vs Napoli prediction is based on both the European heavyweights’ current form, collective spirit, tactics, and player availability. With Napoli missing almost half of their regular starters, SportPurse predicts FC Porto will win 2-0.
Head-to-Head in the Last 4 Matches
- 8 August 2015: FC Porto 0-0 Napoli
- 20 March 2014: Napoli 2-2 FC Porto
- 13 March 2014: FC Porto 1-0 Napoli
- 4 August 2013: Napoli 1-3 FC Porto
Also Read: ‘Timing of the injuries wasn’t great’: Aaron Danks on 3 Bayern Munich injuries in Der Klassiker
For a live score of the FC Porto vs Napoli fixture and a detailed match timeline, including scorers, cards, and substitutions, visit our live scores page.
Leave a Reply