Thursday's Europa League predictions: Barcelona should get job done in Naples

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Napoli v Barcelona and Real Sociedad v Leipzig in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport, from 5.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Barcelona
BT Sport ESPN, 8pm
1pt 8-5 general

Leipzig
BT Sport Extra 1, 5.45pm
1pt 13-8 bet365

Match preview

Barcelona’s Europa League tie with Napoli is delicately poised after an intriguing 1-1 draw at Camp Nou last week but the Catalan side can get the job done over their injury-ravaged hosts.

Luciano Spalletti saw two of his right backs hobble off in their game against Cagliari on Monday and as a result are sweating on the recovery of Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

The home side will also be without Hirving Lozano, Axel Tuanzebe and Frank Zambo Anguissa while Lorenzo Insigne is only just recovering from a knock that saw him miss the game with Cagliari.

Barca have injury issues of their own but their deeper squad may prove too good for a Napoli side who have won just two of their last six home matches, losing three.

Xavi seems to be slowly getting the best out of this young squad and they can silence a raucous Naples crowd.

Leipzig’s 6-1 victory at the weekend made it six wins from eight games following the winter break, as new manager Domenico Tedesco has hit the ground running.

The German side dominated the first leg of their encounter with Real Sociedad, winning the shot count 20-3, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

La Real have turned in some head-scratching performances in recent weeks, winning just one of their last six games, and have failed to score in four of those.

The goal-shy Spaniards may come undone in the face of a strong attacking Leipzig side.

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