Antonio Conte hosts his former employers at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday as Napoli host Chelsea in a must-win UCL game. 

Napoli are currently 25th in the UCL league table after drawing 1-1 to Copenhagen last week, and if they want to make it into the playoffs at least, they need a win, especially after losing 3-0 to Juventus in the Serie A.

Chelsea are also coming to Napoli to win at all costs. The Blues are currently in 8th place and will be guaranteed an automatic spot in the last 16 if they beat Napoli. Chelsea are coming into this game with the confidence of their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Team News

Conte will be without 10 first-team players as most of the squad is injured. De Bruyne, Anguissa, Neres, Gilmour, Politano, and Rrahmani are among the injured players. Conte will also be without his first-choice keeper, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, which means Alex Meret is likely to play his first Champions League game since March 2024.

For Chelsea, there is good news as Cole Palmer has travelled with the squad. The English midfielder wasn’t in the squad that beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at the weekend due to a minor thigh injury. It’s good news for Chelsea fans to hear that he’s back. 

Chelsea are still assessing Jorgensen, while Romeo Lavia has been rumored to be back in training. 

Napoli vs Chelsea Predicted XI

Napoli Predicted XI

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Buongiorno; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund

Chelsea Predicted XI

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro