Manchester City get their 2025-26 Champions League journey underway against Napoli on Thursday 18th September at 8pm. The Citizens exited in the knockout phase play-offs last season, while Napoli are back in the competition as Italian champions. This game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2.
Scott McTominay to be carded (3/1 with SBK)
Narrative is a big thing in football, and Scott McTominay returning to England to take on his former rivals will be one of those on Thursday evening. The Scot was booked when playing for Manchester United against City in the FA Cup final last year before making the switch to Napoli. In the 2022/23 season with the Red Devils, McTominay averaged a card every 143 minutes in the Premier League, and even though he hasn’t hit those levels since playing in Italy, he looks a solid price here for a card at 3/1.
Erling Haaland to score 2+ goals (7/2 with SBK)
It was a phenomenal week for Erling Haaland last week with five goals for Norway against Moldova, before a brace in the Manchester derby on Sunday. The Manchester City talisman looks to have fire in his belly at the start of this term and has already racked up five Premier League goals in just four appearances. This bet has landed in two of his four matches so far, and it’s also worth noting that Haaland is one goal away from reaching 50 in the UEFA Champions League (48 appearances), and looks all but assured to set a new record for fewest appearances to 50 UCL goals. The current best is 62 games, achieved by Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2007.
How both teams go into Man City vs Napoli
Man City won the Champions League for the first time in 2022-23, having been runners-up two years prior. In the season between those final appearances, Man City had reached the semi-finals. But they haven’t made it that far since. As defending champions, Man City were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, giving up a late lead. And Real Madrid knocked them out again last season, this time in the knockout phase play-offs as Man City struggled in the competition.
Napoli are back in the Champions League after one year out. And they used that European-free year to be crowned Italian champions once again. The last time they were in the Champions League was in 2023-24, when they entered as Italian champions. That year the Partenopei reached the last 16 before losing to Barcelona. But this is their first taste of the new format.
Man City team news
Man City will hope to have John Stones and Rayan Ait-Nouri available for this game. But Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic are out.
Napoli team news
Miguel Gutierrez should be available for Napoli after the international break, and back in time for the trip to Manchester. Romelu Lukaku is out until December, though, and has not been registered for the Champions League group stage as a result. Kevin De Bruyne will be looking forward to a quick return to the Etihad.
Man City vs Napoli head-to-head
After going winless in their first two competitive games against Napoli, Man City have won the past two meetings. But they haven’t faced off since the 2017-18 Champions League group stage.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 01/11/17 | Napoli 2-4 Man City | Champions League |
| 17/10/17 | Man City 2-1 Napoli | Champions League |
| 22/11/11 | Napoli 2-1 Man City | Champions League |
| 14/09/11 | Man City 1-1 Napoli | Champions League |