Preview: Napoli vs. Dynamo Moscow

Napoli will be looking to gain an advantage in their Europa League last-16 tie with Dynamo Moscow on Thursday when they host the Russians for the first leg at the Stadio San Paolo.

Rafael Benitez's side earned a comfortable 5-0 aggregate win over Trabzonspor in the last round, with most of the work being done thanks to a 4-0 triumph in Turkey.

However, their recent form has seen them draw two and lose one of their last three games in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw with Inter Milan in Serie A, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Juventus.

The Italians are tough to beat on home turf in Europe though, with eight victories and two draws coming from their previous 10 matches in front of their own fans.

Meanwhile, Dynamo Moscow are currently on an impressive 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with 13 of those matches ending in wins for Stanislav Cherchesov's men.

Dynamo sealed their spot in the Europa League round of 16 by defeating Anderlecht 3-1 on aggregate. It is the first time that they have reached this stage of a European competition since the 1995-96 campaign.

Napoli are likely to field their strongest possible side on Thursday, including the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens.

The visitors have proved that they are capable of producing goals from all over the pitch this season, and players such as Mathieu Valbuena, Alexei Ionov and Aleksandr Kokorin are sure to be targeted by the Neapolitans.

Lorenzo Insigne, Miguel Britos and Juan Camilo Zuniga are all doubts for the hosts, while Dynamo will be without the suspended Artur Yusupov.

Napoli:

Form in Europa League: LWDWWW Form in all competitions: WWWDLL

Possible starting lineup: Andujar; Henrique, Albiol, Koulibaly, Strinic; Inler, David Lopez, Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain

Dynamo Moscow:

Form in Europa League: WWWWDW Form in all competitions: WWWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Gabulov; Kozlov, Samba, Hubocan, Zhirkov; Denisov, Vainqueur; Valbuena, Ionov, Dzsudzsak; Kokorin

Sports Mole says: 1-1