7M - Preview: Napoli vs Chelsea – Champions League Final Matchday Showdown

Old rivals meet again at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday as Napoli host Chelsea in a high-stakes finale to the Champions League league phase. Both teams are under pressure: Antonio Conte's Napoli must win to avoid elimination, while Chelsea need all three points to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stage.

Napoli enter the match in 25th place with eight points—level with five other clubs but outside the top 24 on goal difference. A victory would significantly boost their chances of reaching the knockout playoffs. The Italian side have been strong at home this campaign, earning seven points from nine possible at the Maradona, and hold an impressive record against English opposition in Europe: eight wins in 11 matches, including a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the 2011-12 Champions League round of 16.

However, that historic tie ultimately went Chelsea's way after a 4-1 comeback at Stamford Bridge—a memory that adds extra intrigue to this rematch.

Chelsea, meanwhile, arrive in Naples fresh off a convincing 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace—their third straight victory across all competitions and fourth in five games since Enzo Maresca's departure. Under interim boss Liam Rosenior, the Blues look revitalized, but their European away form remains a major concern.

The Londoners have not won on Italian soil in European competition since 2012, managing just two victories in 13 attempts and losing eight—including a 2-1 defeat at Atalanta in December. More worryingly, they haven't secured an away win in the Champions League since beating RB Salzburg 2-1 in October 2022, enduring five consecutive winless trips (four losses, one draw).

With eight teams currently on 13 points, Chelsea could still finish as high as third—or slip into the unseeded playoff bracket with a loss and unfavorable results elsewhere. Avoiding a playoff is paramount, making this clash a true must-win.

Team News

Napoli will likely see Alex Meret return in goal, possibly replacing the injured Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. Romelu Lukaku, back from injury, is not expected to start against his former club, so Rasmus Hojlund should lead the line. Scott McTominay—who has scored four of Napoli's seven Champions League goals this season—remains central to their attack.

Key absentees include Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour (groin), Matteo Politano (muscle), David Neres (ankle), Amir Rrahmani (muscle), and ineligible winter signing Giovane.

For Chelsea, Cole Palmer is unlikely to feature after missing the Palace game with a thigh issue, and captain Reece James may be managed carefully following his 81-minute outing on Sunday. Levi Colwill (knee), Tosin Adarabioyo (hamstring), Dario Essugo, and Romeo Lavia remain sidelined, while Filip Jorgensen's status is unclear.

Joao Pedro leads the line despite just one European goal this term; Estevao Willian (three goals) and Moises Caicedo (two) have been more productive in the Champions League.

Predicted Lineups

Napoli (4-2-3-1):
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Buongiorno; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund

Chelsea (4-3-3):
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Garnacho

Prediction

With both sides desperate for a win and neither able to afford a stalemate, expect an open, intense contest. Napoli's formidable home record, combined with McTominay's recent scoring form and Chelsea's poor history in Italy, tips the balance in the hosts' favor.

Prediction: Napoli 2–1 Chelsea