Athletic Bilbao were en route to a surprising result when they were leading against Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League play-offs. Even if Higuain leveled the score to add drama for the return leg the bookmakers still favor Bilbao to win this match with the biggest betting agent giving them 2.00 as opposed to Napoli’s 3.25. Bilbao have the away goal behind them and the wish to make history for their club.
Bilbao lost the opening La Liga match against Malaga after fielding a starting eleven that had Aduriz as a lone striker, and still they were unable to get past a very disciplined and meticulous defense. Regardless of the result, Aduriz is still the main man with the goals, he scored 16 last season, and even if Napoli might end up believing that by losing Herrera they lost the ability to control the midfield area, Ernesto Valverde is keen to prove otherwise.
Napoli’s Rafa Benitez is confident his side will deliver the surprise and qualify for the group stage especially with Higuain in such good form. The signings they made over the summer give them incentives to believe they can make it again to the groups, where they impressed last season, but were unable to qualify for the knockout stage.
Bilbao are being given the advantage in this second leg, but Napoli will push for at least one away goal, that’s why both teams to score is not a farfetched bet at all at 1.75 with the most trusted online sports betting brand. Napoli to win either half is at 2.20, Bilbao at 1.61. Higuain to score is at 2.50, but we are going to bet 8 units on Aduriz to score at 2.25 with the same bookie.
Athletic Bilbao: Team’s Formation
Napoli: Team’s Formation
Prediction for the match:
Aduriz to score anytime