Napoli v Athletic Bilbao 1x2 predictions and betting tips

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Napoli v Athletic Bilbao 1x2 predictions and betting tips Champions League Uefa, International	19/08/2014 20:45	full time result	Napoli	1.85	Bet at Betfair
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

A fine match up here worthy of at least the Group Stages of Champions League. A top side will exit the tournament at the playoff stage as Napoli face up to Athletic Bilbao.  Rafa Benitez is a mastermind in European stage and Napoli are rightful favourites, however he knows he must take a lead to San Memes in Basque Country as Bilbao rarely fail there. Napoli didn’t really make many changes to last years squad with striker Michu in alongside defender Kalidou Koulibaly and keeper Mariano Andujar. Napoli are given a ranking of 24 by UEFA. In Champions League Napoli have featured lightly, only managing 20 games which surpised me! They have won 10 of those with 5 draws and 5 losses for a high 50% win success. They featured last year but never made it out of a tough group despite winning 4 of the 6 games. Arsenal, Dortmund and Marseille made up a real group of death. Atletico Bilbao make the playoffs but they have to do without key man Ander Herrera. They still have class in all areas though with the likes of Laporte, Muniain, Aketxe  Susaeta, De Marcos and Aduriz. They have not signed anyone of note at all, with Forward Borja Viguera the only in so far. They still adhere to the ‘Cantera’ policy of Basques only (although they have stretched it to include locally trained players of late) – they still have a limited pool to choose from. For all their history Bilbao have only played 20 Champions League matches – with 7 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses (35% win success) with no games played since 1999. They are still ranked as 38 best in Europe.

This looks like a classic head to head battle with two home wins. Two sides with red hot passionate home fans who both create cauldron like atmospheres. I take Napoli to take a slim lead to Bilbao. The visitors will try and keep it tight and I do not see much in the way of Atletico attacks. The key to this one is still being in the tie come the 2^nd leg. Low goals here but a home win.

Back Napoli to win at 1.85 (17/20) with Betfair

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