Napoli vs Chelsea: Champions League preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Fixture: Napoli vs Chelsea

• Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

• Venue: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

Our prediction: Napoli 1-2 Chelsea

Napoli may be the Italian champions but they have struggled to find the same levels this season domestically and in Europe due to injuries, as they sit fourth in Serie A and facing a very real prospect of elimination from the Champions League.

We are predicting that to be the case and for Chelsea to leave Naples with a hard-earned three points.

Napoli

Our predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic / Jesus, Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno / Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Miguel / Vergara, Elmas / Hojlund

Chelsea

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez / James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella / Caicedo, Fernandez / Estevao, Palmer, Neto / Pedro

It could be a tense and cagey match with so much on the line for both sides but our experts still think at least a couple of goals will be scored.

While neither are exactly prolific in front of goal, both sides know they likely need a win to help their respective chances and that should force both to play on the front foot so backing over 1.5 goals feels reasonable.

Joao Pedro has been the preferred striker pick in Rosenior's XI so far and after netting at Crystal Palace over the weekend, he'll be in confident mood.

While we think Cole Palmer will start, it will take the England man some time to get back up to speed so we think Pedro looks the most likely source of goals for the Blues.

Striker Rasmus Hojlund has found a new lease of life at Napoli as the Manchester United loanee comes up against Premier League opposition once again.

The Denmark international has nine goals this season including two in the Champions League and is averaging just under a shot on target per game in the competition this season. Expect him to try his luck with at least one effort on goal in this game.

Our final pick is to back Chelsea to do enough and get the win which should secure qualification through to the last 16, given they currently have a strong goal difference compared to the teams below them.

It may well be Rosenior's toughest task yet in charge of the West Londoners and we think the young manager will continue the feeling of cautious optimism surrounding his start to life at the club so far with his fifth win in six games at the helm.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.