Napoli vs Arsenal Champions League Preview: Lineups, Predictions, and Kickoff Details

The opening round of the Champions League will feature a thrilling encounter at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Napoli welcome Arsenal. The 2024–25 Serie A champions face the 2025–26 Premier League winners in what promises to be an intense battle.

Arsenal are eager to improve on last season's runner-up finish and capture their first Champions League title, while Napoli, who exited in the league phase last year, must aim for the knockout rounds this time around.

Form and Expectations

Trips to Naples have never been easy, yet Arsenal enter as clear favorites. After a dominant win over Manchester City in the Community Shield, they've started their Premier League defense with three straight victories, including a tough win against Chelsea recently.

Napoli face challenges under new coach Massimiliano Allegri after Antonio Conte's departure. They lost their last two games to Como and Inter, notably giving up a two-goal lead in a 3–2 defeat at San Siro.

Score Prediction: Arsenal to Extend Their Winning Run

Arsenal look almost unstoppable now. Their momentum from last season carries forward, bolstered by greater squad depth that allows rotation without losing quality.

Star players like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka are in fine form, adding to a tight defense that's conceded very little so far. Meanwhile, Napoli are still adjusting tactics, and any defensive lapses might be exploited by England's top side.

• Arsenal Defense: Only Morgan Rogers has scored against them this season, with just 0.9 expected goals conceded in three Premier League matches.
• Historical Edge:Arsenal topped last season's group stage unbeaten in 90 minutes, only losing the final.
• Head-to-Head: The teams met four times before; Arsenal won three, including the last two in the 2018–19 Europa League. None of these matches had both teams scoring.

Prediction: Napoli 0–2 Arsenal

Napoli Expected Lineup vs Arsenal

Napoli will miss key midfielder Scott McTominay, sidelined due to a minor heart operation. Injuries to Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci, Giovane, and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa add to selection headaches. David Neres's availability remains uncertain.

Kevin De Bruyne joins the midfield, replacing Anguissa, while Rasmus Højlund leads the attack.

• Formation (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marín, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Vergara; Politano, Højlund, Santos.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Napoli

Injuries hit Arsenal's defense with William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera out. Jurriën Timber has recovered and could make his first Champions League appearance since the final. Midfield may see Martín Zubimendi and Bruno Guimarães start, with Declan Rice rested.

Upfront, Viktor Gyökeres might replace Kai Havertz, and Eberechi Eze could take the left wing spot, swapping with Christos Tzolis.

• Formation (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Guimarães; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.

Match Details

• Location: Naples, Italy
• Stadium: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9
• Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
• VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

Broadcast Info

• United States: Paramount+, ViX
• Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
• Mexico: Max Mexico
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports 2, HBO Max