- Napoli are unbeaten at home in this season’s UEFA Champions League, winning two and drawing one of three matches at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
- Chelsea are winless in three UEFA Champions League away matches, drawing one and losing two.
Conte and Rosenior to make for contrasting styles
Napoli, who sit 25th in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 with eight points from seven games, face off against an in-form Chelsea side, 8th with 13 points from seven games, in a crucial group matchup on Wednesday.
The Blues are in form, winning three of their last five in all competitions, while Napoli have been so-so with one win, three draws and a defeat in the same period. Chelsea’s recent results have seen a 2-0 home win over Brentford, a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Pafos FC and a convincing 3-1 away win at Crystal Palace last weekend, while Napoli have played out a gutsy 1-0 home win over Sassuolo, a 1-1 draw away at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and a 3-0 thumping away to Juventus.
Antonio Conte, who oversaw a similar Chelsea team not too long ago, has Napoli playing a disciplined 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2, depending on the game state, which relies heavily on the width of wing-backs to stretch the play while his wingers hold their positions. When they trap the opposition in the defensive third, they look to make explosive, vertical runs forward to catch the opponent out of position.
Chelsea, under Liam Rosenior, have retained many of their previous traits, particularly in terms of their high-possession 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation with inverted full-backs, but have played a little more patiently when in possession, as well as counter-pressing to suffocate the opposition in the centre of the park.
Blues have the edge, but draw looks likely
With Conte’s previous tenure with Chelsea, and the contrasting tactical styles both managers employ, this matchup has an added spice to it. Chelsea are favourites at 2.26, with Napoli at 3.0 and the draw at 3.4.
With Chelsea winning their last three games, and Napoli winning just one of their last five in all competitions, we’re going to side with the Blues to nick this one, but their away record in this tournament makes us think twice about siding with them at such a short price.
The addition of Estevao to the Chelsea attack has provided a lot of movement and sharpness in the final third, but Napoli have been a tough team to break down at home this season. Instead, we’re looking at ‘Both Teams To Score’ at 2.15, as a market of interest.
