Union Berlin v Napoli

Union Berlin vs Napoli Preview

The Olympiastadion Berlin provides the backdrop to this upcoming fixture between German hosts, Union Berlin, and their Italian counterparts, Napoli, as Union Berlin's usual home ground, Stadion An der Alten Försterei, is not deemed suitable for a Champions League fixture as the stadium only holds just over 22,000 spectators.

Union Berlin have started their Champions League group campaign in dismal fashion as the hosts have been dealt back-to-back defeats in the opening two matchdays as they have slipped to losses against Real Madrid 1-0 away from home and a 3-2 loss at home to Sporting Braga, so this upcoming fixture with Napoli looks to be a tough challenge for Urs Fischer's side.

This clash looks even tougher when you take a look at Union Berlin's recent results in all competitions as the German hosts have suffered losses in each of their previous eight matches overall which includes defeats at home to RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim, Sporting Braga and Stuttgart respectively.

There is no previous pedigree in the Champions League for Union Berlin to draw upon so this upcoming tussle is likely to have the hosts in some trouble.

Napoli sit in joint-second place with Sporting Braga on three points apiece following a 2-1 win away from home at Sporting Braga but the Italians were unable to build upon their early momentum as they slipped to an entertaining and eventful 3-2 loss at home to Real Madrid on matchday 2.

However, the bigger picture shows Napoli have been handed just three defeats out of their last 20 matches overall in all competitions, with each of these losses being incurred on home soil at their Stadio Diego Armando Maradona while results away from home have resulted in just two defeats in their last 19 trips on the road.

Napoli have collected 13 wins during this 19-match period on their travels which should set Rudi Garcia's side in good stead as they prepare for this upcoming trip to Berlin on Tuesday night.

Unlike their hosts, Union Berlin, Napoli do possess some useful pedigree at Champions League level and results have certainly been encouraging for the Italian visitors as they have slipped to just four defeats from their last 20 ties overall.

Union Berlin v Napoli Verdict

Recent results suggest this could be another tough evening at the office for Union Berlin and if they're to get anything out of this clash, the hosts must put a halt to a previously poor eight-match losing streak but they are more likely to have their work cut out than anything else against a solid Napoli outfit.

Napoli's pedigree at this level should shine through here against a Union Berlin outfit who must be struggling for confidence.

Therefore, our main bet will be Napoli win @ 1.95

Other side bets worth considering:

Napoli win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.87

Correct score: Napoli 2-1 @ 8.50