Prediction: Napoli vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Bet365

Manchester City are one step away from securing the Champions League knockout stages and will be keen to nab it in Naples on Wednesday night. Serie A leaders Napoli will have a say in it though as they look for a revenge against Guardiola’s men.

Napoli

Partenopei have extended their impressive run in the Serie A this weekend as a win over Sassuolo kept Maurizio Sarri’s men top of the group with a two-points advantage in front of the second-placed Inter Milan.

Unlike their high-flying domestic run, the Champions League campaign has not been that successful for Napoli. Sarri’s side lost two of their three opening games and another potential set-back would effectively rule them out of the chase. Three points behind the second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, Partenopei need a win and nothing else if they want to prolong their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Temperamental Southerners are determined to exact revenge upon Manchester City for a 2-1 defeat in the reverse game. Napoli were blown away in the opening stages but Maurizio Sarri’s men got back up on their feet and put up a fight against in-form Guardiola’s men. In the end, Partenopei were unfortunate not to claim a point with Dries Mertens missing a penalty shot.

Team News

Long-term absentee Arkadiusz Milik remain the only unavailable player for the forthcoming fixture.

Christian Maggio has returned to full fitness and could get back in the fold to replace Elseid Husaj at right-back. Maurizio Sarri rested a number of his first-team players and will have a full crop to pick from.

Manchester City

Clinching the Champions League Round of 16 qualification would come as a morale-boosting bonus for Pep Guardiola’s men who have been flying on a rather impressive stretch of form.

The Premier League leaders travel to Italy on the back of a 13-match winning run in all competitions and with their confidence up to the roof. Pep Guardiola has galvanized his squad by turning the Citizens into a free flowing, highly attacking unit which plays an exciting brand of football and stands as the biggest favourite for the Premier League title. The Spaniard missed out on silverware for the first time in his managerial career last season and is determined to make amends this time around. Citizens travel to Italy on the back of a 3-2 win away at West Brom which helped Guardiola’s men extend their lead on top of the standings and remain five points clear of Manchester United. Getting a desired result in Naples will be difficult but quite rewarding as well and we should expect to see Citizens in their full form on Wednesday.

Team News

Ilkay Gundogan’s another substitute display will give Guardiola a positive selection dilemma ahead of the trip to Napoli.

Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy remain on the sidelines whereas Manchester City have no fresh injury worries.

Key Factors to Consider

• Napoli lost only 2 of their 15 games
• Man City are flying on the back of a 13-match winning run
• Citizens kept two clean sheets in last five matches
• Premier League side could qualify for UCL knockouts with a win in Italy
• Napoli won only one of their three opening Champions League matches

Conclusion

There is much more than points at stake for both Napoli and Manchester City ahead of their Wednesday’s matchup. The Italians are hoping to keep their continental hopes alive, whereas the Englishmen could secure the knockout stage qualification if they win in Naples. A strong game and an eventful affair is guaranteed knowing the brand of football both sides are nurturing.

Verdict: Manchester City

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Bet365