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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
NAPOLI  De Sanctis Fernandez, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena Hamsik, LavezziCavani | VILLARREAL  Lopez Zapata, Musacchio, Gonzalo, Catala De Guzman, Bruno, Marchena, Cani Rossi, Nilmar |
Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi is considered a doubt for the Yellow Submarine as a result of a knee problem, but coach Juan Carlos Garrido will do everything in his power to ensure the former Manchester United forward is fit and available. No such luck for Marco Ruben, however, who broke a toe in the weekend draw with Athletic Bilbao, and will be out for a month.
Borja Valero will serve the second game of his three-match ban for being sent off in the play-off round against Odense.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Napoli and Villarreal clashed earlier this year in the Europa League; after a 0-0 draw in Naples, Villarreal won the second-leg 2-1 and eventually reached the last four of the competition.
- Villarreal stumbled to a 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich on matchday one, while Napoli managed a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City.
- The Yellow Submarine have won just two of their eight competitive matches so far this season, against Mallorca in La Liga and Odense in the CL play-offs.
- Napoli have failed to win in their last two matches, a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina and a 1-0 loss to Chievo.
- Villarreal midfielder Borja Valero, who is suspended for this encounter, was the subject of transfer speculation over a move to Napoli for much of the summer.
- Napoli are competing in the Champions League for the first time in their history, courtesy of last season's third-placed finish in Serie A.
Villarreal have suffered a stuttering start to the season, and a draw is perhaps the best they can hope for, but after impressive displays against Manchester City and AC Milan, Napoli have failed to win their last two matches. A share of the spoils may not be the worst outcome for either side.
Editor's Prediction
Napoli 1-1 Villarreal 
