Napoli face surprise package Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday. The two sides have met in the group stage of the competition in 2012 but neither of them has ever reached the final before. The two meetings in 2012 saw each team win at home: Dnipro won 3-1 in Ukraine while Napoli secured a 4-2 success at the San Paolo stadium.
Napoli were impressive against Wolfsburg in the previous round, winning 6-3 on aggregate after a dominant 4-1 away victory in the first leg. There is much at stake for Napoli as the Europa League could be their only way to play Champions League football next season. Their Serie A form has led them to a fourth place in the table, four points behind the top three. There are no fresh injury concerns for Napoli, just Michu remains out of contention due to a thigh issue.
Dnipro will play their first European semi-final after defeating Club Brugge in the previous round. The first leg was goalless in Belgium and the Ukrainians clinched a 1-0 victory at home to make it through. They have lost just one of their previous eleven matches in all competitions, with eight wins. Dnipro are currently second in the Ukrainian top flight, six points behind leaders Dynamo Kiev. The Ukrainian side will be without Roman Zozulya due to a knee injury while Matheus is in doubt due to a back problem.
Probable line-ups:
Napoli: Andujar - Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam - Jorginho, Lopez, Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne - Higuain
Dnipro: Bokyo - Douglas, Luchkevych, Fedetskiy - Kankava, Leo Matos, Cheberyachko, Bezus, Rotan - Konoplyanka, Seleznyov
My prediction: Napoli to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Napoli win - 1.36 Draw - 5.00 Dnipro win - 11.00
timidi 8 years ago
This is a great result for Dnipro, they scored that away goal which is very important and they stay undefeated but still I think that Napoli is big favorite here and I think that they will go to the final. They have more quality in their squad and it will be shame if we don't see players like Hamsik and Higuain in final....
This is a great result for Dnipro, they scored that away goal which is very important and they stay undefeated but still I think that Napoli is big favorite here and I think that they will go to the final. They have more quality in their squad and it will be shame if we don't see players like Hamsik and Higuain in final.
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kruno1414
8 years ago
Dnipro really shocked everyone by this result .. they were tottally outplayed in the whole match and managed to score the goal in my opinion from an offside position .. Napoli deserved to win by atleast 3 goals but also after this match and this result they are favourites again. But who knows , in football you can expect...
Dnipro really shocked everyone by this result .. they were tottally outplayed in the whole match and managed to score the goal in my opinion from an offside position .. Napoli deserved to win by atleast 3 goals but also after this match and this result they are favourites again. But who knows , in football you can expect anything :)
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seculla
8 years ago
What a bad match for Napoli, they had the ball and had many chances but they didn't score, so Dnipro surprises with a goal from offside but referee's didn't "whistle" that offside. Anyway, all options are open, second game in Ukraine will be hard to predict. Napoli are still big favorites but Dnipro showed that they are...
What a bad match for Napoli, they had the ball and had many chances but they didn't score, so Dnipro surprises with a goal from offside but referee's didn't "whistle" that offside. Anyway, all options are open, second game in Ukraine will be hard to predict. Napoli are still big favorites but Dnipro showed that they are difficult to beat.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
The big surprise was organized by the players of Dnipro. They managed to stay unbeaten and with great chances await rematch. They played organized, strong in defense and managed to score a goal that mattered much. On the other hand, Napoli gave their best but had no luck. We are expecting an exciting match in Ukraine.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Another surprise in Europa League and Dnipro is again that team who surprise. They showed to us that they are very serious team and after first game they have great great result and now they have a big chances to play in the final of Europa League. Of course that Napoli still have better chances but now everything is possible...
Another surprise in Europa League and Dnipro is again that team who surprise. They showed to us that they are very serious team and after first game they have great great result and now they have a big chances to play in the final of Europa League. Of course that Napoli still have better chances but now everything is possible in second match and if we saw Dnipro in the final match I won't be so surprised.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Maybe the Ukrainians are underestimated from the bookmakers but still obviously Napoli is a very strong favorites in this one, not only because of the class of their players but they are certainly much more experienced team in Europe. Dnipro have to really play tough at back if they want to remain some chance for the rematch.
Maybe the Ukrainians are underestimated from the bookmakers but still obviously Napoli is a very strong favorites in this one, not only because of the class of their players but they are certainly much more experienced team in Europe. Dnipro have to really play tough at back if they want to remain some chance for the rematch.
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kruno1414
8 years ago
Napoli a big favourite in front of this duel , Dnipro is not really an easy task for anyone with their good wingers especially player like Konoplyanka but i think Higuain and company on their Sao Paolo will get the job done . I am absolutely sure they will give their 100% to win Europe league and Dnipro will have a really...
Napoli a big favourite in front of this duel , Dnipro is not really an easy task for anyone with their good wingers especially player like Konoplyanka but i think Higuain and company on their Sao Paolo will get the job done . I am absolutely sure they will give their 100% to win Europe league and Dnipro will have a really hard time tonight.
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seculla
8 years ago
I agree with both of you guys, Napoli is very big favorite in this match, but also Dnipro is very strong team that knows how to defend themselves from better teams. Anyway, I believe that Napoli's players will find a way to score goal in first half, and after that will be very easier to score more goals, but if Dnipro don't...
I agree with both of you guys, Napoli is very big favorite in this match, but also Dnipro is very strong team that knows how to defend themselves from better teams. Anyway, I believe that Napoli's players will find a way to score goal in first half, and after that will be very easier to score more goals, but if Dnipro don't receive goal in first half and in first 15-20 minutes in second it will be harder to score for Napoli in every next minute of the match.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
These will be an interesting match tonight. Napoli who is in fantastic form last month, will welcome a very hard and strong team Dnipro. A slight advantage in the two matches I give Napoli, because they have top players and coaches who won European trophies. However, the Dnipro will not surrender, they will play the best...
These will be an interesting match tonight. Napoli who is in fantastic form last month, will welcome a very hard and strong team Dnipro. A slight advantage in the two matches I give Napoli, because they have top players and coaches who won European trophies. However, the Dnipro will not surrender, they will play the best they can and try to make a surprise. I think it will be 2-1 win for Napoli.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Napoli is big favorite here and they deserve that because they played great whole season, they defeated Wolfsburg in last round and they have a lot of quality players and it seems that Napoli is sure for that spot in the final. Tonight I think that they will win but not so easy because Dnipro showed that they are great...
Napoli is big favorite here and they deserve that because they played great whole season, they defeated Wolfsburg in last round and they have a lot of quality players and it seems that Napoli is sure for that spot in the final. Tonight I think that they will win but not so easy because Dnipro showed that they are great team, they know how to defend and they are very dangerous from counter attacks.
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