The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League League phase clash between Napoli vs Chelsea is set for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. Hosted at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy, this Matchday 8 encounter pits the struggling Italian side Napoli against a resurgent Chelsea team looking to secure a knockout phase spot in a pivotal European battle.
Napoli’s season has been a mixed bag, sitting mid-table in Serie A and struggling in the Champions League with a recent run of D D W D L. Scott McTominay is the top goal scorer of the UEFA Champions League for Napoli Soccer Club.
Injuries have hit hard, with Billy Gilmour (groin, mid-February), David Neres (hamstring, late March), Amir Rrahmani (muscle, early February), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (muscle, early February), Kevin De Bruyne (thigh, early March), and Matteo Politano (thigh, early February) all sidelined.
Antonio Conte’s 3-4-2-1 system focuses on compact defending, but the team’s attacking output has dipped, netting just 4 goals in their last five games while conceding 6.
Chelsea is enjoying a strong run of form, winning four of their last five matches, including impressive victories over Crystal Palace and Brentford.
They’ll be missing Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), Cole Palmer (thigh, doubtful), Dario Essugo (muscle, late February), Levi Colwill (cruciate ligament, late April), Tosin Adarabioyo (thigh, mid-February), and Romeo Lavia (thigh, early February).
Coach Enzo Maresca says there’s a “really good chance” Palmer could feature, while Romelu Lukaku is close to returning from a thigh injury. Their high-press attack has produced 13 goals in five games, though discipline has been an issue with 12 yellow cards.
Napoli vs Chelsea Match Preview, Team News, Predictions, and More
In the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League league phase at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli’s shaky home form meets Chelsea’s impressive resurgence.
The Partenopei’s troubles in front of goal clash with the Blues’ free-scoring attack, setting the stage for a tactical showdown where Chelsea’s midfield dominance could take over, yet Napoli’s defensive grit might keep the scoreline tight.
Team News and Analysis
Napoli is hampered by injuries to key players like Gilmour, Neres, Rrahmani, Anguissa, De Bruyne, and Politano, impacting midfield and attack.
Their last five matches include a 0-3 defeat to Juventus and a 1-1 draw with Copenhagen, highlighting tactical issues. Conte will rely on a compact 3-4-2-1 to limit Chelsea’s shots (77 in last five vs. Napoli’s 62).
Chelsea misses Mudryk (suspended), with Palmer doubtful and long-term absences like Colwill and Lavia. Their form includes a 3-1 win over Palace and 5-1 at Charlton, showcasing pass accuracy (91% vs. Napoli’s 88%).
Maresca’s 3-4-2-1 mirrors Napoli’s, but better attacking efficiency (13 goals in five) gives them an edge.
Head-to-Head Record
Napoli and Chelsea have met twice, with each securing one win: Napoli 4 goals, Chelsea 5 goals. Matches are high-scoring, adding intrigue to this league phase tie.
| Match Details | Date | Result (Agg) | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napoli vs Chelsea | Feb 21, 2012 | 3-1 | UEFA Champions League (Round of 16, 1st leg) |
| Chelsea vs Napoli | Mar 14, 2012 | 4-1 (5-4 on agg after extra time) | UEFA Champions League (Round of 16, 2nd leg) |
Predicted XI Lineups
Napoli vs Chelsea Starting XI Lineups
Napoli Predicted XI (3-4-2-1):
This setup focuses on defensive compactness with McTominay’s tenacity (3 goals in 5 games) and Højlund’s movement.
- Goalkeeper: Alex Meret
- Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Alessandro Buongiorno
- Midfielders: Leonardo Spinazzola, Scott McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka, Miguel Gutiérrez
- Forwards: Antonio Vergara, Eljif Elmas, Rasmus Højlund
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-2-1):
Chelsea’s formation emphasizes midfield control with Fernández dictating play and Pedro’s pace.
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
- Defenders: Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, Marc Cucurella
- Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo
- Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, João Pedro, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap
Key Players
For Napoli, Stanislav Lobotka provides midfield mettle, Rasmus Højlund offers forward movement, and Scott McTominay adds tenacity with 3 goals in 5 games.
For Chelsea, Enzo Fernández dictates play with midfield control, João Pedro brings pace and trickery, and Alejandro Garnacho provides unpredictable directness.
Match Prediction
Chelsea is predicted to win, taking advantage of better form and greater attacking output (13 goals in the last five vs. Napoli’s 4).
Best value: Chelsea Draw No Bet. Expect over 2.5 goals and both teams to score, with total corners over 9.5.
Where to Watch Napoli vs Chelsea UCL Match
In the USA, the Napoli vs Chelsea match streams live on Paramount+ and DAZN. Coverage begins at 3:00 PM ET, with no national TV broadcast. For live scores and highlights, check ESPN or the official UEFA website.
