Napoli have to score away to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday if they want to give themselves a chance of reaching the Europa League final.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo last week as Yevhen Seleznyov's late goal gave the Ukrainians the advantage in the semi-final tie.
Dnipro
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Dnipro have given themselves a strong chance of reaching the first European final in the club's history thanks to last week's stoic showing in Italy.
The Ukrainians were forced to defend for large periods of the match, leaving them with just 30% of possession come the final whistle, but they managed to hold on and score what could be an all-important away goal with 10 minutes left on the clock.
While they head into Thursday's match with the initiative in the tie, their confidence will have been dented by a 2-0 defeat at home to Zorya in the Ukrainian Premier League at the weekend, leaving them nine points behind Dynamo Kiev.
However, that loss was just the team's second in 13 matches across all competitions. In the league they have won seven of their previous nine outings.
When it comes to European home matches, Dnipro have been dominant in recent times. Myron Markevych's side have won their last four fixtures on home soil, with no goals conceded. That said, one area of concern for the team is in the final third, with the hosts finding the net on just 12 occasions in this season's Europa League.
Dnipro had to put in a solid defensive display last week in order to keep Napoli at bay, but it will be a different test for them on Thursday. While they may still be underdogs in the tie, being the home side could put added pressure on them to perform.
Recent form: DWLDWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWDL
Napoli
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Napoli travel to Ukraine knowing that they must score an away goal if they want to reach the Europa League final following last week's 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Stadio San Paolo.
The Italians looked good value for the win on home turf as David Lopez gave them a deserved lead, but Yevhen Seleznyov struck 10 minutes from time to give Dnipro the upper hand heading into the return fixture.
Winning the tournament might be Napoli's only chance of making it through to next season's Champions League, with Rafael Benitez's side currently struggling for form in Serie A.
A 2-2 draw with relegated Parma at the weekend means that they remain three points adrift of third-placed Lazio with three games left to play. The match could have ended even worse for Napoli were it not for Dries Mertens's equaliser 18 minutes from time.
However, the Neapolitans can take encouragement from their recent form away from home in European competition. The visitors have failed to be beaten in their last four matches, with two of those fixtures ending as wins.
Napoli also boast the best attack in this year's Europa League, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon and Marek Hamsik helping the team find the net 26 times at an average of two goals per game. Their forward players will need to be on the money again on Thursday, or else the Italians will be out of the tournament.
Recent form: WWDWDD
Recent form (all competitions): DWLWDD
Team News
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Dnipro will be without Serhiy Kravchenko and Roman Zozulya, while Yevhen Shakhov could also be forced to miss out through injury.
Napoli have no fresh fitness concerns heading into the match, though Michu remains sidelined with a thigh problem. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Higuain is expected to be recalled after being rested for the team's draw with Parma.
Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne could also come back into the side after being named on the bench at the weekend.
Dnipro possible starting lineup:
Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Matos; Fedorchuk, Kankava, Luchkevych, Rotan, Konoplyanka; Kalinic
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Lopez, Callejon, Hamsik; Insigne, Higuain
Head To Head
Before last week's 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo, the teams had met twice before in European competition. Having been pitted together in the group stage of the 2012-13 Europa League, Dnipro earned a 3-1 victory in Ukraine before Napoli won the reverse fixture 4-2.
We say: Dnipro 1-2 Napoli
Napoli were dominant during the first leg, but a lack of finishing cost them what would have been a significant victory. A similar performance this time around, but with a more clinical edge up front, should see them into the final. While Dnipro are sure to put up a tough fight and are almost certain to play a more attacking game, the visitors' extra quality could prove to be the telling factor.
Jack Prescott
