Napoli vs Bodo/Glimt: Can the Underdogs Stop the In-Form Visitors?

Napoli have lost both of their opening Champions League matches, scoring once and conceding four times, and they now face Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday at the Maradona Stadium with nothing on the board.

Zero points and a steep climb

Napoli sit 32nd of 36 clubs in the league phase, with no points and a goal difference of -3. Bodo/Glimt are 24th with three points, so the gap between the two sides is already visible. With so many teams competing for places, a third straight defeat would leave Napoli with a lot of ground to make up.

Bodo/Glimt’s rolling form against Napoli’s slump

Bodo/Glimt come into this tie in strong shape. Across their six matches this season they have won four, drawn one and lost one, with recent results reading D-W-W-W-L-W. They have scored 13 goals, and three of their four home wins came with a clean sheet in mind, having kept two clean sheets at home. Away from home they have a win, a draw and a defeat, a record that suggests they are far from a one-dimensional side.

Napoli’s season has been the opposite. They have lost both home and away, and their only goal so far came inside the first 15 minutes. Two of the four goals they have conceded arrived between the 16th and 30th minutes, so the early stages of matches have been a problem. Bodo/Glimt, who are used to pressing for goals across the whole game, are the favourites on this evidence, and Napoli are the underdogs in their own stadium.

Absences on both sides

Napoli will be without A. Buongiorno (knee), David Neres (thigh), C. Favasuli (thigh) and A. Vergara (calf). L. Marianucci is also missing, listed as off the roster.

Bodo/Glimt have their own problems. H. Evjen (knee), A. Mikkelsen (groin), M. Riisnaes (knee) and I. Sjong (injury) are all out, and O. Blomberg is a doubt.

Our prediction

Napoli have the home crowd and a chance to exploit any early wobble from Bodo/Glimt, but they have struggled to create and defend consistently so far. Bodo/Glimt’s away form and their ability to stay in games should be enough to see them through, even if Napoli make it difficult. Expect a tight match where the visitors come out on top.

Napoli 1-2 Bodo/Glimt