Napoli vs RB Leipzig Predictions and Match Preview, 15 Feb 2018

The Match Is Over. Score: 1-3

Napoli v RB Leipzig Predictions for Thursday's Europa League Round of 32 1st Leg at Stadio San Paolo. Two of the strongest sides left in the competition face off as RB Leipzig travel to the Stadio San Paolo to compete with an in-form Napoli side, in what looks to be a very competitive last-32 Europa League match - according to FlashScore.

Match status:2017-18 Europa League Group Round of 32
Kick-off: Thursday 15 Feb 2018, 08:05pm GMT
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples, Italy)

Napoli v RB Leipzig Team News

This is the only game of the round which features two teams dropping down from the Champions League. Napoli are previous winners of the UEFA cup whilst RB Leipzig are in their debut season on the European stage.

These two sides have never met and this game represents Leipzig's first game against any Italian competition. Napoli have history with German sides however, and are unbeaten in six of their nine home ties against German opposition in Europe (W4, D2, L3).

Napoli are in with their biggest chance in recent years of winning their domestic title - and it is possible Sarri’s team selection may reflect that here, especially with Mertens and Milik both out.

Fans will be left wondering if Everton loanee Ademola Lookman (RBL) could have set the European stage alight - unfortunately the young Englishman is cup-tied having played in the Group Stage with his parent club.

Players to watch: Jose Callejon (NAP) is expected to start down the flank here and has been directly involved with 11 goals domestically so far (seven goals, four assists). Lorenzo Insigne has three goals in Europe this season and will hope to add to his tally.

Timo Werner (RBL) has already managed three goals for his side in the Champions League Group Stage - and he faces a similar challenge here against Champions League quality opposition, despite the drop down.

Teams' Potential Starting Line-ups:

Napoli (4-3-3): Reina; Rui, Koulibaly, Albiol, Maggio; Hamsik, Diawara, Allan; Zielinski, Insigne, Callejon.

RB Leipzig (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Orban, Laimer; Keita, Demme; Bruma, Sabitzer; Werner, Augustin.

Injured or Suspended Players:

Napoli: Faouzi Ghoulam, Vlad Chiriches, Zinedine Machach, Dries Mertens, Arkadiusz Milik.

RB Leipzig: Marcel Halstenberg, Stefan Ilsanker, Ademola Lookman, Emil Forsberg.

Head-to-Head Record: Napoli v RB Leipzig

No match has ever been played between these Italian and German sides in any competition; moreover, this game will help mark the away side's maiden appearance in the new-format Europa League following their only participation in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup.