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The first matches of the 2025/26 Champions League get underway this week, and Manchester City face a difficult task against Serie A Champions Napoli. Pep Guardiola’s team are coming into this game with renewed momentum after winning the Manchester derby on Sunday 3-0. Whilst you imagine Napoli will present a more difficult challenge than Manchester United, City will still believe that they have the quality to win this tie and get three points on the board straight away.
Napoli head to Manchester sitting top of Serie A with three wins. Antonio Conte is no stranger to City, having faced them numerous times as manager of Chelsea and Tottenham. Neither are several of his team, with many having played in the Premier League before, including a certain Kevin de Bruyne, who returns to face his old club after leaving at the end of his contract in the summer transfer window. Whilst emotions will be running high for De Bruyne, he is sure to try to lead his new team to victory over his old.
Manchester City vs Napoli key information
• Date: Thursday, September 18
• Kick-off time: 8pm BST
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Referee: Felix Zwayer
• VAR: Christian Dingert
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: MCI (13/20) - DRAW (3/1) - NAP (4/1)
Manchester City team news
The Blue side of Manchester woke up on Monday with a new sense of belief in their team. Phil Foden scored for the first time in the Premier League since January 25, hopefully signalling a return to form for the talented Englishman. With his predecessor on the opponent's side now, City will be looking at Foden for a creative spark in the team, especially with attackers Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush still out.
Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva started on the wings against United, and after a great showing by both, will be expected to continue there over Savinho and Oscar Bobb. Current Ballon d’Or holder Rodri will be looking to return to the Champions League after sitting out almost all of last season's campaign. Whether Pep will play the integral Spaniard in this game is up for debate as they manage his return to the first team. Nico González would be the logical replacement, with Mateo Kovačić a long-term absentee.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Napoli, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Pep Guardiola
Donnarumma; Gvardiol, Stones, Dias, Lewis; Rodri, Reijnders; Doku, Foden, Silva; Haaland.
Napoli team news
Napoli face a nervous wait to see if first-choice keeper, Alex Meret, will be fit for the trip to Manchester. The Italian picked up an injury before the weekend’s tie against Fiorentina, leaving the new signing, Vanja Milinković-Savić, to make his debut in the 3-1 win. Meret joins Amir Rrahmani on the injury list with the Kosovo international picking up an injury during the international break.
Injuries aside, Napoli are looking good so far this season and have several ex-Premier League players chomping at the bit to head to the Etihad and remind fans of their class. Scott McTominay has proven that his move from United to Naples was a good one, and Rasmus Hojlund is hoping to replicate this trajectory with his same move. The Dane got off to the best start too, scoring on his debut and getting the player of the match award.
Napoli predicted lineup vs Manchester City, (4-1-4-1)
Coach: Antonio Conte
Milinković-Savić; Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Beukema, Di Lorenzo; Lobotka; Politano, De Bruyne, Anguissa, McTominay; Hojlund.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
You can watch this Champions League tie live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. TNT Sports is available to watch with a subscription to Discovery+, which can be streamed on the website or app, on your smart TV, through your console or through some TV providers.
Head-to-Head record
Despite City coming into the game off a good result, their performances so far in the Premier League have been up and down. The two back-to-back losses before the international break to Tottenham and Brighton had people asking questions about Guardiola’s side, but they returned from the break looking a lot better than they did going into it.
Napoli have three wins so far in Serie A and have only conceded one goal. This game against City will no doubt be their toughest test yet, but Conte’s men have real strength in their team and could easily come away with the three points.
City and Napoli have faced each other four times in the Champions League, with City just edging the results two to one, with one draw. The most recent meeting in Manchester was in 2017, where City were 2-1 winners.
Odds for Manchester City vs Napoli
City are the bookmaker’s favourites to win this match, coming in at 13/20 on bet365. Napoli are 4/1 to win, and a draw is down at 3/1.
Odds are correct at time of writing, subject to change.