In a high-stakes encounter at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea need a victory to secure direct Round of 16 qualification.
The final matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase features a classic European showdown as Chelsea travel to Italy to face Napoli. Currently sitting in 8th place with 13 points, the Blues have their fate in their own hands: a win guarantees them a direct spot in the knockout stages, avoiding the unpredictable playoff round.
Napoli’s Survival at Stake For Antonio Conte’s side, the situation is critical. Sitting in 25th place with just 8 points, the Italian giants are currently on the verge of total elimination. Only a victory against Chelsea can propel them into the playoff zone (9th to 24th).
However, Conte faces a selection nightmare. The Partenopei will be without eight key players, including the creative duo of Kevin De Bruyne and David Neres, both sidelined with injuries.
The “Estêvão Factor” Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is expected to keep faith in the lineup that recently dispatched Crystal Palace. All eyes will be on the Brazilian sensation Estêvão, who has become a focal point of the Blues’ attack alongside João Pedro. With Cole Palmer still unavailable, the creative burden falls on the young South American duo.
Predicted Lineups:
- Napoli (3-4-2-1): Meret; Beukema, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Rasmus Højlund.
- Chelsea (4-3-3): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Reece James, Caicedo, Enzo Fernández; Pedro Neto, Estêvão, João Pedro.
Match Information:
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM EST (5:00 PM Brasília)
- Venue: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Naples.
- Where to Watch: Paramount+ (USA), TNT Sports (UK), Max (Brazil).
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
