Napoli vs. Liverpool Betting Tips: Two angles for Champions League clash

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign with a visit to Napoli, and they will welcome the break from their tricky start to the league campaign. Liverpool have always performed on the European stage, but Napoli are a very stern test that Jurgen Klopp knows all too well...

These two teams were drawn in the same group in 2019, and Liverpool failed to get the better of Napoli in either match. The Reds still went on to top their group that season, but a good start can be crucial, especially when Liverpool have looked far from their assured selves.

A big factor in Liverpool’s difficult start is the long list of absentees. They have been plagued with injuries from the start of the season, and many believed that the side were in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.

Naby Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the trip to Italy, while Thiago and Fabio Carvalho are doubts. Captain, Jordan Henderson will also miss the match,  so there is some speculation that Thiago may be rushed back into the side.

Victor Osimhen is a major doubt for this one. The forward was linked with a few big money moves away from the club in the summer, and he would be a big miss for his team here.

When these teams met in the groups in 2019, there was a lot of throws in both matches.  The game in Italy saw 47 throws, while the game at Anfield saw a staggering 56. Liverpool’s matches so far this season are averaging 43 throws per game, and I’m expecting there to be a lot of them here.

In Napoli’s last 5 matches where they have been similarly priced to win, there has been an average of 43 throws per game. Bet 365 have set the line at over 39.5 here, so there is some definite value in this angle.

I also like the look of tackles in this one. Throws and tackles can often be related, as direct wide players should lead to full backs making challenges and conceding throws as the game progresses. The last time Liverpool made the trip to Naples, the team made 24 tackles.

Napoli’s opponents are averaging 20 tackles per game so far this season. Liverpool averaged 16.5 tackles per game in their away matches in the Champions League last season, and the line is set at 15.5 for the clash with Napoli.

For the longshot, I’m going to use the same angles but increase the lines. This bet landed comfortably when these teams last played in Naples. Liverpool had 24 tackles, and there was 47 throws in the match on that occasion.

Napoli’s last opponents at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium managed 26 tackles, and Klopp will be keen for the intensity to return to his team after a few weeks where they have looked below par.

Liverpool’s last match against Everton saw 57 throws, well clear of the required line for this bet.