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It could very well be Andre Villas-Boas’ last chance at Chelsea, when he takes his side to Napoli in the Champions’ League on Tuesday evening.
The Portuguese manager has overseen something of a transitional season at Stamford Bridge so far, so will be keen to lay down a marker during Chelsea’s first leg clash in Naples.
Furthermore, he will be carrying the pride of a nation that is not even his own, following Arsenal’s humiliation in Italy last week.
Manchester City have already been the victims of Napoli’s fast counter-attacking football, so Chelsea will have to be wary of their opponents. This will be a tough game to call, even if in recent seasons it would be the English side who were massive favourites.
With the Gunners having lost 4-0 to AC Milan in the San Siro, Chelsea probably carry English football’s only remaining hope in the Champions’ League this season. If they can navigate this tie, surely Villas-Boas’ stock will rise significantly.
It is well known how much owner Roman Abramovich covets European success more than anything else now, so the man who guides his expensively assembled team to Champions’ League glory is bound to be popular in the board room.
One thing that might play into Chelsea’s hands is the two-match UEFA ban for Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri. He received the ban following a charge of improper conduct during the Villarreal game last month and will miss both legs of this tie.
It all sets up what should be an intriguing tie between two attacking sides with a lot to prove.
Match Odds
It is little surprise, considering Chelsea’s domestic form and Napoli’s humbling of Manchester City, that it is the Italian side that go into this game as favourites. VC Bet is offering odds of 2.40 (7/5) that Napoli will win this.
A draw would probably be a good result for Chelsea in all honesty, as it gives them something to take back to Stamford Bridge for the second leg. TitanBet are offering 3.25 (9/4) for that to happen.
Therefore, Chelsea go into this tie firmly as outsiders. At odds of 3.20 (11/5) with Paddy Power, it seems they will be facing a tough task to win in Naples.
First Goal Scorer
Napoli’s Edinson Cavani is the favourite to open the scoring at a price of 4/1 with Bet365. Chelsea forward Didier Drogba is just behind him at 6.00 (5/1).
Cristiano Lucrelli is 8.00 (7/1) to get the first goal, while Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi is available at the same price.
Out of form Fernando Torres is priced at 7.50 (13/2) to be the first goalscorer, alongside team mate Daniel Sturridge.
Recommended Bet
Away goals are key in two-legged football, so Chelsea will surely have a certain degree of satisfaction if they can grab a couple of them.
With Napoli being the favourites, it seems tempting to back the 3-2 home win, and at odds of 41.00 (40/1) with SkyBet, you can bring in a total return of £410 if you bet a tenner on that outcome.
March 16th, 2012 at 2:47 am
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