Napoli are playing with their backs against the wall on Wednesday when they host Manchester City at San Paolo Stadium as defeat would most likely mean their elimination from the qualification race in Group F. The Italian side played very well in the second half of the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium, but not enough to overturn the deficit so the Citizens grabbed a 2-1 victory. The previous meeting between the two sides was in the group stage of the Champions League in 2011 and back then Napoli secured a 1-1 draw in England before winning the home match 2-1.
Napoli are marching triumphantly in Serie A so far, they have not lost a single match so far and won ten out of their eleven league games. But their Champions League campaign is not going so well, they started with a 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk, then won at home against Feyenoord and eventually lost at Man City. Another defeat would probably put them out of the qualification race because Shakhtar are playing at home against Feyenoord and are expected to win. Arkadiusz Milik is the only injury concern for head coach Maurizio Sarri, who rested some of his key players last weekend in preparation for Wednesday's match.
Manchester City are also dominating their domestic league, with nine wins out of ten games and no defeats so far. In fact, Manchester United are still unbeaten in all competitions this season, including the Champions League. They are currently at the top of Group F with 9 points and even a draw in Naples could secure their place in the first knockout round. Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany remain the only injury concerns for manager Pep Guardiola, who will most likely recall Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling after having rested them last weekend.
Probable line-ups:
Napoli: Reina - Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam - Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik - Callejon, Mertens, Insigne
Man City: Ederson - Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph - De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva - Sterling, Aguero, Sane
My prediction: 3-3 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Napoli win - 2.75
Draw - 3.79
Man City win - 2.50
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Comments (1)
sharpe
11/22/17, 10:11:33 PM
Napoli were defeated in both games they faced Manchester City and the difference in class was obvious apparently. But I think CL is not Napoli primary target this...
Napoli were defeated in both games they faced Manchester City and the difference in class was obvious apparently. But I think CL is not Napoli primary target this season, of course that doesn't mean they want to loose but Seria A title is what they aim for and really an early CL exit would help them chasing that illusive title, so I think not a disaster for them loosing those game.
Show more
