All eyes will be on the Kevin De Bruyne return to Etihad as Manchester City host Napoli in a standout fixture of the opening Champions League gameweek. The Belgian midfielder, a club icon after a decade of service, is set for a swift reunion with his former team following his summer move to Italy.
While spirits are high at City after a convincing 3-0 victory in the Manchester Derby, questions still remain after a shaky start to the season. Pep Guardiola’s side faces a serious test against Antonio Conte’s well-oiled machine.
Team news and lineups
Man City will be without Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, and Mateo Kovačić, while John Stones and Rayan Aït-Nouri are doubts. Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start in goal after his impressive clean-sheet debut, with some rotation possible in the defensive line.
Man City’s new No. 1 shut out the Red Devils on debut.
Napoli’s team will have a distinct “Mancunian feel,” with Conte expected to start former City star De Bruyne alongside former United players Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund. The visitors are missing key players themselves, including Romelu Lukaku and Amir Rrahmani.
De Bruyne has enjoyed a steady start to life in Naples.
Man City predicted lineup (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Aké, Gvardiol; Nico; Bobb, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland.
Napoli predicted lineup (4-1-4-1): Milinković-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Højlund.
There will be a Mancunian feel to the Napoli team.
Score prediction
While City’s derby win provides a confidence boost, the victory came against a predictable and flawed Manchester United side. This match against Conte’s tactically astute unit will be a truer test of their current standing. Inter earned a deserved point at the Etihad in a similar fixture last season, and Napoli is expected to produce a similar result in what promises to be an entertaining affair.
Prediction: Man City 2–2 Napoli