El Fardu Ben and Richmond Boakye lead a Crvena Zvezda team weaker than most, but ready to take on anyone.
Crvena Zvezda – Napoli Bet365 Odds
Crvena Zvezda – Napoli Preview
Napoli is the unluckiest team when it comes to Champions League draws. Last season, they were drawn in a group with Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dutch champions Feyenoord. In 2013/14, they played against Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Marseille, and in 2011/12, Napoli had to face Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Villarreal. As a result of their “luck”, Napoli finished third every single time. Their group this year? Liverpool, PSG and Crvena Zvezda.
Once again, the Italians entered the competition as one of the best teams from the second echelon, yet unlikely to progress due to the strength of their opponents. A lot will depend on how Carlo Ancelotti’s men deal with their first encounter – a dangerous visit to Belgrade to take on former Champions League winners Crvena Zvezda.
The Serbian side returns to Europe’s elite competition after a 26-year absence, so the atmosphere in Balkan’s Maracana will be deafening. Tickets for Crvena Zvezda’s Champions League matches were sold out within two hours, which tells us all we need to know about the interest in this team’s CL comeback. Napoli is better off arriving prepared, especially since they are facing a team without a loss since February.
Crvena Zvezda – Napoli Bet365 Odds
Crvena Zvezda – Napoli H2H
Crvena Zvezda has won just three of their 23 matches against Italian clubs (W3, D7, L13). The last one came against Roma in the 2005/06 Europa League. Meanwhile, Napoli has won just once in their five matches against Serbian clubs (W1, D2, L2) and lost all three group stage away matches last season. Furthermore, Red Star Belgrade is coming into this contest on a 30-unbeaten-games run which stretches all the way back to a CSKA Moscow EL loss in February.
Player to Watch: Ben
El Fardu Ben Nabouhane, or simply Ben, is the player to watch from this contest. He has been scoring at will lately. The Comoros native scored six goals in Crvena Zvezda’s CL qualification campaign, which started in the first round and totalled eight matches. He came over to replace Richmond Boakye, who scored 27 goals in 30 appearances for the Serbian club last season. Ben will now team-up with the Ghanaian, as he was bought back from China after Red Star Belgrade qualified for the Champions League.
Crvena Zvezda – Napoli Bet365 Odds
Crvena Zvezda 9 (8/1)
Draw 4.5 (7/2)
Napoli 1.44 (4/9)
Judging by the odds, Napoli is still the heavy favorite. However, for those who believe Crvena Zvezda will not burn in its emotional desire to impress, a 2.8 (9/5) line for a Crvena Zvezda win or draw is the way to go. A safer bet is putting your money on goals.
Over 2.5 goals – 1.9 (9/10)
Other odds:
Ben to score – 4.33 (10/3)
Boakye to score – 4.33 (10/3)
