It would be a mistake to assume that Napoli are poor when they play away from home in Europe, they are not, they are not brilliant either but have got a positive result 58% over the last six years.
Yes, they have been poor in the Champions League away from home over the last couple of seasons but their overall record since October 2013 has not been that bad.
They have played 31 games away in that period and in 18 of those games they did not lose.
That tells you that they have lost 13 games and a couple have been shockers, as an example losing to Shakhtar Donetsk last season and drawing away to Crvena Zvezda earlier this season, however it is a different ball game in the Europa League.
Napoli did lose to Salzburg last time out but that game was basically a dead rubber, and over their last 15 away games in the Europa League, they have lost just five from 16.
Napoli European away record since October 2013
Europa League
Played 16 Won 8 Drawn 3 Lost 5
Champions League
Played 15 Won 4 Drawn 3 Lost 8
Total
Played 31 Won 12 Drawn 6 Lost 13
It should also be noted that they were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Anfield and got a draw at PSG in this seasons Champions League.
We are, of course, the favourites, our home record is formidable but Napoli is not Vorskla, Qarabağ, BATE or Rennes, teams that we have beaten at home this season in the Europa League.
I am convinced that if we play against Napoli as we have against Tottenham, Chelsea and Man Utd at the Emirates we will win but have to accept that we are playing a top team and we must be at our best or we could end up with a whole heap of regret.
Napoli are not formidable on the road but neither are they weak and the stats back that up.
Don’t expect an easy game….