Man City vs Napoli Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
This opening clash in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League will be dominated by the return of Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne to the Etihad.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Man City preview: Need for consistency
Manchester City come into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering of Manchester United in the Manchester Derby at the weekend, courtesy of an opening goal scored by Phil Foden and a brace notched by striker Erling Braut Haaland.
The Cityzens have been in decline for the last 12 months or so and, regularly, they have put in excellent performances where the suggestion is that ‘they are back’, but they have failed to ever really kick on and rediscover their ruthless consistency.
Napoli preview: Conte’s slick Neapolitans
Coached by Antonio Conte, Napoli come into this one on the back of a third successive victory in Serie A to begin the defence of their Italian title with a 100% record, defeating Fiorentina by three goals to one at the Artemio Franchi.
Conte has had a habit of performing extremely well with teams that don’t have to fight on multiple fronts, with the former Juventus boss enduring a very poor European record, but he has been given a surprisingly deep Napoli squad this season.
Man City team news: No need to change
Manchester City brought in both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Phil Foden at the weekend, and the pair should keep their places after impressive performances in the derby.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Gonzalez, Foden; Bobb, Haaland, Doku
Unavailable: Phillips (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Cherki (Injured), Marmoush (Injured)
Questionable: Bettinelli (Injured), Stones (Injured)
Napoli team news: Meret still a doubt
First-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret missed out due to a thigh injury at the weekend, and he remains a doubt for this one. Rasmus Hojlund scored on debut and should remain in place with the absence of Romelu Lukaku.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, McTominay, De Bruyne; Hojlund
Unavailable: Contini (Injured), Rrahmani (Injured), Lukaku (Injured)
Questionable: Meret (Injured)
Man City vs Napoli prediction
As mentioned, Manchester City have found it difficult to string performances and results together in the last few months and there will be caution from supporters ahead of the visit of the Italian champions. Kevin De Bruyne is starring in a Napoli side that are extremely difficult to score against and now have a variety of ways of scoring. It may well actually be a good value bet to side with the visitors at the Etihad Stadium this week.
Man City vs Napoli Tip: Double chance – Napoli to win or draw
