The Europa League has reached the quarter-final stages with the first leg ties taking place on Thursday night. The pick of the ties sees in-form German outfit Wolfsburg host Italian club Napoli at the Volkswagen Arena.
Wolfsburg are currently second in the Bundesliga table, ten points behind leaders Bayern Munich, but are closing in on a Champions League spot for next season.
The home side disposed of another Italian club Internazionale in the last round and will be confident of progression in this tie as they have won five out of their last six games in all competitions.
The German side are also five games unbeaten in the Europa League. Dieter Hecking’s side have lost just one of their last 23 competitive games in all competitions. Wolfsburg has won their last nine home games in all competitions. Wolfsburg are without injured midfielder Aaron Hunt for the clash.
Napoli’s form has been poor in recent games, as they have won just one of their last six games in all competitions. However, the only win in that run came last time out with a 3-0 triumph over Fiorentina.
Rafa Benitez’s side are unbeaten in seven Europa League games and have kept six clean sheets in those seven unbeaten games. Napoli made it to the last eight of the competition by defeating Russian side Dinamo Moscow in the last round.
Napoli are without full-back Ivan Strinic who is ineligible and the injured Spanish attacking midfielder Michu.
Other Europa League Ties:
Club Bruges vs. Dnipro
Dinamo Kiev vs. Fiorentina
Sevilla vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
Which tie is the best of the Europa League quarter-final?
