Napoli and Arsenal begin their Champions League league-phase campaigns at the Diego Armando Maradona on a night that could set the tone for both teams’ European seasons.
The two sides meet in Naples in one of the opening round’s most prestigious fixtures, with both clubs seeking a winning start to their Champions League campaign. Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri must deal with a depleted squad, particularly in defence and midfield, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta continues to manage problems at the back.
Napoli
Napoli will be without Scott McTominay, Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci and Giovane for the visit of Arsenal. Those absences leave Allegri facing selection problems before the club’s first European match of the season.
Alex Meret is expected to start in goal, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marin and Leonardo Spinazzola likely to form the defensive line.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Stanislav Lobotka are the predicted midfield trio. In attack, Matteo Politano and Noa Lang are expected to support Rasmus Højlund as the central striker.
Napoli’s predicted XI is:
Goalkeeper: Alex Meret
Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola
Midfielders: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka
Forwards: Matteo Politano, Rasmus Højlund, Noa Lang
Arsenal
Arsenal also have concerns in defence ahead of their trip to Italy. William Saliba remains sidelined for an extended period, while Cristhian Mosquera is still considered doubtful.
There was, however, encouraging news for Arteta at the weekend, when Jurrien Timber returned to training. His involvement offers Arsenal hope that he could be included in the travelling squad, although his availability for the match remains to be confirmed.
David Raya is expected to start in goal. The predicted back four consists of Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.
Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes are forecast to line up in midfield, with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis forming the attacking unit.
Arsenal’s predicted XI is:
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis
The match will be Napoli’s first fixture of the Champions League league phase against Arsenal. Betting operator 1xbet lists Napoli at odds of 5.00 to win, with a draw priced at 3.75 and an Arsenal victory at 1.70.