Napoli might have stuttered at Anfield when experiencing their first defeat of the season in all competitions on 1 November, although there were mitigating circumstances for this 2-0 reverse against Liverpool. After all, Luciano Spalletti’s side simply needed to avoid a heavy defeat on Merseyside to ensure that they finished top of Group A and they also had a goal chalked off by VAR with the scoreline goalless.
Previously to this, Napoli won all five Champions League group games and scored twenty goals, with that 4-1 destruction of Liverpool setting a strong tone for a team whose outright odds have tumbled as the weeks have progressed. The Naples side could well go deep in the European Cup this term and they might have Serie A sewn up with games to go.
However, this is an intriguing encounter against an Eintracht Frankfurt team who won last season’s Europa League. The German team began the Champions League in auspicious fashion when losing 3-0 at home to Sporting CP although they certainly have the knack when it comes to away games.
Oliver Glasner’s side claimed a 1-0 win away to Marseille and they also toppled Sporting 2-1 in Portugal in order to finish second behind Tottenham at the group stage. They might relish the fact that they are underdogs against a team expected to come through and it will be interesting to see if they can nudge ahead at the Waldstadion.