Mansion Sports – The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League is officially underway, and one of the most captivating fixtures of the opening matchday in the league phase will see Manchester City host Napoli. 

The highly anticipated clash is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 20:00 local time.

This contest carries a storyline far deeper than just the pursuit of three points. Kevin De Bruyne, a player who spent a decade as the beating heart of Manchester City and lifted 19 trophies with the club, is returning to the Etihad. 

The twist, however, is that he will not be wearing the blue of City but instead the colors of Napoli, his new team determined to make a statement on Europe’s biggest stage. The emotional reunion adds an extra layer of drama to an already monumental encounter.

Before the match begins, here is a look at the form of both teams along with Mansion Sports’ prediction of the lineups for Manchester City vs Napoli 2025.

Manchester City: Confidence Fueled by an Unbeaten Home Record

Manchester City enter the game with renewed confidence, having demolished local rivals Manchester United 3-0 in the Manchester derby last weekend. 

Erling Haaland once again proved unstoppable with a brace, while Phil Foden opened the scoring to seal a dominant victory.

This result is expected to spark a resurgence for Pep Guardiola’s squad, who had stumbled earlier with defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion. 

Even so, Guardiola will need to balance his tactical approach carefully with a demanding fixture list that also includes a high-stakes Premier League clash against Arsenal.

City will be particularly motivated to avoid repeating last season’s disappointment, when they finished just 22nd in the league phase before being eliminated by Real Madrid in the playoffs. A strong start this time around is an absolute priority.

At the Etihad, City are nearly untouchable. In their last 21 home matches in the Champions League’s league phase, they are unbeaten—winning 18 and drawing 3. 

Furthermore, they have a tradition of starting campaigns strongly, with five wins and one draw in their last six opening fixtures. 

These statistics only heighten the confidence of the Citizens’ supporters heading into this showdown.

Napoli: Seeking to Break the Curse in England

Napoli arrive in Manchester riding high after securing the Serie A title last season under Antonio Conte. 

They have opened the new campaign with three consecutive victories in domestic competition, showcasing both momentum and ambition.

Kevin De Bruyne, their high-profile signing, has made an immediate impact with two goals in his first few matches, while Rasmus Hojlund also marked his debut with a goal against Fiorentina.

Still, Conte has cautioned that facing Manchester City will be the toughest challenge so far. History is firmly against Napoli: in 12 away games against Premier League clubs in European competitions, they have never won, recording three draws and nine defeats. 

Conte will be determined to break this longstanding curse and prove that Napoli are ready to compete at the highest level.

Adding to the drama is the emotional storyline of De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad. Facing his former teammates and the fans who once adored him, he will be eager to show that he still belongs among the world’s best, even in Napoli’s colors.

Predicted Lineups for Manchester City vs Napoli 2025

Although both sides approach the fixture with optimism, injuries have deprived them of several key players.

Even so, the matchup promises to deliver top-tier football with some of the biggest names in the sport ready to take the field.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
• Defenders: Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake
• Defensive Midfielders: Rodri, Angel Gonzalez
• Attacking Midfielders: Savinho, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku
• Striker: Erling Haaland
• Manager: Josep Guardiola

City will be without Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Mateo Kovacic due to injuries, while John Stones remains a fitness doubt. 

Guardiola is likely to rotate his squad, turning to young talents such as Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho. 

As always, the spotlight will remain firmly on Haaland, who is chasing his 50th goal in the Champions League.

Napoli (4-1-4-1)

• Goalkeeper: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
• Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Sam Beukema, Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola
• Defensive Midfielder: Stanislav Lobotka
• Midfielders: Matteo Politano, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay
• Striker: Rasmus Hojlund
• Manager: Antonio Conte

For Napoli, injuries have also posed challenges, with Romelu Lukaku, Amir Rrahmani, Alex Meret, and Nikita Contini all sidelined. 

Even so, their midfield remains formidable with De Bruyne, Anguissa, and McTominay anchoring the center of the pitch. 

Up front, Hojlund is expected to lead the line ahead of Lorenzo Lucca, given his excellent early form.

Conclusion

This fixture is more than just an opening act in the Champions League—it is a reunion filled with emotion. Kevin De Bruyne returns to the Etihad, this time as an opponent, and the football world will be watching closely.

Manchester City aim to extend their flawless home record, while Napoli are desperate to break their long-standing struggles on English soil. 

The defining question is clear: will Erling Haaland once again deliver the goals to secure City’s triumph, or will De Bruyne inspire Napoli to spoil his former club’s night?

One thing is certain: the Etihad Stadium is set to host a spectacular contest that football fans will not want to miss.