Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two European giants who will open their respective Champions League adventures on Thursday night, Manchester City will welcome Napoli to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have entered September’s international break with consecutive Premier League defeats, Pep Guardiola’s camp came roaring back in some style over the weekend. Marking their return with an empathic 3-0 victory at home against bitter local rivals Manchester United, the former Barcelona boss will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. However, despite getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a routine 4-0 romp away at Wolves on August 16th, it is no secret that the Sky Blues are still searching for some crucial stability. Finishing last season without a piece of silverware to show for their troubles, City also showed some glaring issues on the European stage. With their Champions League adventure coming to an end back in February following a 6-3 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid, Guardiola’s camp remarkably lost four of their final five European showdowns.
Manchester City Team News
Picking up a muscle injury prior to September’s fortnight break, Manchester City have already confirmed that former Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki will not feature here. Likewise, Guardiola’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of England international John Stones.
Bagging a brace against United over the weekend and already notching 11 goals for club and country since opening up the new campaign, the record-breaking Erling Haaland will play a leading role in the final third. Making his City debut last weekend, Italian skipper Gianluigi Donnarumma will likely keep his spot between the sticks.
Napoli
As for the visitors, shattering a string of records last season as they stormed their way to a fourth Serie A crown, Napoli have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the globe. Embarking on a sensational rise under Antonio Conte’s guidance, some have billed the reigning Italian champions as a genuine Champions League dark horse this time around. Marking their return from September’s international break with an empathic 3-1 victory away at Fiorentina, the former Chelsea boss has seen his high-flying squad win all of their first three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1. In fact, Napoli have suffered just a single defeat across any competition so far this calendar year. Despite travelling to the Etihad pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Conte’s camp will certainly feel that they are capable of asking some serious questions on foreign soil.
Napoli Team News
Enjoying a sensational start to life in Naples and making an immediate impact after completing a free switch from Manchester City over the summer, Belgium icon Kevin De Bruyne will make an emotional return to the Etihad here. Finding the net on his Napoli debut over the weekend, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line.
However, picking up a muscle injury during Napoli’s summer preparations, Conte’s camp have already confirmed that former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Manchester City vs Napoli Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Napoli last met for a Champions League showdown back in November 2017, the Sky Blues collected an action-packed 4-2 victory in Naples.
- However, Guardiola’s side remarkably lost four of their final five Champions League battles last season.
- Napoli have won their first three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1.
- Norwegian record-breaker Erling Haaland has recorded 11 goals for club and country since opening up the new campaign.
- All of the four historic showdowns between Manchester City and Napoli have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Manchester City might open their Champions League adventure pencilled in as a standout contender, Guardiola’s men will certainly be asked some serious questions at the Etihad. Watching Napoli enjoy a dominant start to proceedings, the reigning Italian champions will be relishing a trip to the blue half of Manchester on Thursday night. In what could prove to be another European thriller, chances could come thick and fast in midweek. It should also be noted, all of the four historic meetings between Manchester City and Napoli have finished with both teams finding the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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