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Napoli vs Barcelona prediction: How will Champions League fixture play out tonight?

Lionel Messi will likely have to carry Barcelona again: Getty
Lionel Messi will likely have to carry Barcelona again: Getty

Barcelona take the first step in their pursuit of banishing the demons of Anfield with the trip to Naples for tonight's first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.

Napoli have of course beaten Liverpool twice in the last two seasons, including once in the group stages of this competition.

But they are now led by Gennaro Gattuso after Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal.

With off-the-field issues thanks to the unrest with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the controversial signing of Martin Braithwaite, who is not registered for tonight's game, the tie is more evenly balanced than first anticipated back when the draw was made.

Here is our prediction for the first leg at what promises to be an electric San Paolo.

Lionel Messi will likely have to carry Barcelona again (Getty)
Lionel Messi will likely have to carry Barcelona again (Getty)

What time is Napoli vs Barcelona?

The match kicks off at 8pm GMT (9pm local time) at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.

How can I watch on TV?

Yes, you can watch the game live on BT Sport 3 with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.

Can I stream it online?

Yes, BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.

Team news

Kevin Malcuit and Kalidou Koulibaly are out injured, while there are doubts over Arkadiusz Milik, Hirving Lozano, Elseid Hysaj and Fernando Llorente.

Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembélé are out injured while Martin Braithwaite is not registered for this game after his move from Leganes. Quique Setien could opt for the experience of Arturo Vidal over the youth of Ansu Fati.

Predicted line-ups

Napoli (4-3-3): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Maksimovic, Mario Rui; Fabian, Demme, Zielinski; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne.

Barcelona (4-3-1-2): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Firpo; De Jong, Busquets, Arthur; Vidal; Messi, Griezmann.

Prediction

Lionel Messi is almost destined to score at the house that Diego Maradona helped build, but their lack of stability off the pitch may creap into their game on it when Napoli pick up momentum. Not to mention their track record of collapsing somewhat in away knockout ties. Gennaro Gattuso will inject the right amount of motivation into his side on this big night in Naples and could well pinch a slender 2-1 lead heading into the second leg.

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