Napoli vs Arsenal
Europa League 2018-19
Quarter-final, second leg (2-0 agg)
Venue: Stadio San Paolo, Naples
Date: Thursday, 18 April, 2019
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Arsenal head to Naples for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash boasting a 2-0 advantage following a comfortable victory in London last week.
The Gunners dominated at the Emirates as an Aaron Ramsey effort and Kalidou Koulibaly own goal secured the win inside 25 minutes, though they were prevented from putting the tie beyond doubt thanks to an impressive display from visiting goalkeeper Alex Meret.
You wonder if last season's semi-finalists will be made to regret such profligacy in southern Italy against a Napoli team that, backed by a strong crowd, are unbeaten at the Stadio San Paolo in European competition this term under Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 10 goals and conceding only twice in five contests.
They have lost just once on their own patch in Serie A - against reigning champions Juventus in March.
Arsenal's away-day troubles have been well-documented in 2018-19, though they held on to beat 10-man Watford 1-0 at Vicarage Road on Monday night - a result that saw them return to the Premier League's top four.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-ups
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has travelled with the squad. The Uruguay international came off at half-time in Monday's Premier League win over Watford with a tight groin but is in contention to start in the San Paolo Stadium.
Loanee Denis Suarez (groin) has stayed behind in London while long-term absentees Danny Welbeck (ankle), Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin (both knee) are still missing.
Provisional squad: Leno, Cech, Maitland-Niles, Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Elneny, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Nketiah.
Napoli XI: Meret, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Callejon, Ruiz Pena, Zielinski, Insigne, Merens, Milik
Arsenal XI: Cech, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Score prediction: Napoli 2-1 Arsenal
Napoli surely will not repeat their inept first-half display on home turf, where they are typically formidable and prolific.
Arsenal's away form was notably shaky before Monday and even then they could easily have been pegged back by 10-man Watford, who twice hit the woodwork and created plenty of chances.
The Gunners will likely need an away goal and are simply not good enough defensively to sit back and invite too much pressure.
They may lose on the night but still squeeze through to the last four, where either Valencia or Villarreal will await.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Qualification odds (including extra-time and penalties)
- Napoli to qualify: 31/10
- Arsenal to qualify: 2/9
First goalscorer odds
- Arkadiusz Milik: 7/2
- Dries Mertens: 9/2
- Lorenzo Insigne: 11/2
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 11/2
- Alexandre Lacazette: 13/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can also follow all the action on Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Arsenal vs Napoli tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to Napoli's website.
Arsenal are no longer selling tickets for the fixture and they are not available to purchase on the day of the game.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the fourth competitive meeting between the two sides.
In addition to this season's Europa League quarter-finals, they also met in the group stages of the 2013-14 Champions League.
Each side won the home tie 2-0, with Napoli managed at that time by current Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez.
