napoli vs chelsea live
It is win or bust for Chelsea this evening as they look to confirm their place in the Champions League round of 16, facing Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Blues come into this fixture sitting eighth in the league phase standings, a position they must maintain or improve upon if they are to dodge a two-legged play-off. The table is incredibly congested, though - some 13 teams are either level on points with Chelsea or within three points - meaning the slightest slip could spell disaster.
This fixture is, in some ways, a sympathetic one for Liam Rosenior, though. Napoli’s Serie A title defence has been derailed completely by injuries, with seven first-team players due to miss this match. As such, they have struggled in Europe, and as it stands, will not be progressing from the league phase. They have a stunning home record, though, and have not tasted defeat in Naples since December 2024.
Chelsea will hope to bring that 14 month run to an end this evening, though. Follow the action LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
Chelsea team news: Will Palmer feature?
Cole Palmer will be involved for Chelsea after he missed last week’s wins over Crystal Palace and Pafos with a minor muscle strain.
Tosin Adarabioyo remains out, though Filip Jorgensen has recovered from a knock more quickly than expected. Dario Essugo remains sidelined having suffered yet another setback, while Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill are long-term absentees.
Estevao produced one of his best Chelsea performances yet as he notched a goal and an assist against Crystal Palace and could play again here.
Rosenior has also shown an affection for Andrey Santos in his time at the club, so the Brazilian will likely partner Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
Pedro Neto’s place could be under threat as he lacked impetus at Selhurst Park, with Alejandro Garnacho in line for a recall.
Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
Napoli team news: Full-blown injury crisis
Napoli are facing a wealth of injury issues. Former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is stepping up his return from the thigh injury which has kept him sidelined since the summer, scoring in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, but he is not expected to be involved on Wednesday.
Another ex-Chelsea man, Billy Gilmour, is due to miss out after undergoing groin surgery in November, though his Scotland team-mate McTominay is fit to play.
Summer signing Kevin De Bruyne is also on the treatment table next to Frank Anguissa, plus David Neres and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Amir Rrahmani and Matteo Politano are doubts for Napoli as they recover from knocks sustained against Sassuolo last week.
On-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund will likely be involved. He has two goals in six Champions League appearances this season.
How to watch Napoli vs Chelsea
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 4, with coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Good evening
Hello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Napoli vs Chelsea in the Champions League!
Only a win will do for the eighth-placed Blues. Can they get the better of Antonio Conte’s injury-ravaged Azzurri?
Follow along right here to find out! Kick-off is pencilled in for 8pm.
Stick with us!
Composite image of Antonio Conte and Liam Rosenior
Composite image of Antonio Conte and Liam Rosenior