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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
NAPOLI  De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Dossena Hamsik, Lavezzi Cavani | MANCHESTER CITY  Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov De Jong, Yaya Toure Milner, Silva, Nasri Dzeko |
For the hosts, Walter Mazzarri is likely to make just the single change from the side that drew a blank against Lazio on Sunday, as Walter Gargano is set to replace Blerim Dzemaili in central midfield. However, it is likely that there won't be as much luck for Goran Pandev, who despite his impressive cameo at the weekend, should remain on the bench.
A win is crucial for Neapolitan hopes of progressing from the group stage, as anything other than the points in the bag could consign the southern Italian giants to the Europa League spot in Group A. However, with only one absence in Marco Donadel, plus Miguel Britos returning to fitness, preparations are running smoothly for the Serie A club.
Meanwhile for Manchester City, who will rubber-stamp their qualification with a victory on Tuesday, an estimated trio of alterations are in the offing for Roberto Mancini. David Silva, who started as a substitute in the Premier League leaders' 3-1 win over Newcastle, is expected to return to the fold in the place of Mario Balotelli.
In addition, Sergio Aguero is likely to be replaced by Edin Dzeko, while Aleksandar Kolarov should come in for Gael Clichy at left-back. The incoming pair have excelled in Europe's premier club competition this season.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Napoli are unbeaten at the San Paolo in 10 matches, a run that stretches all of 17
years, including this season's win against Villarreal and draw with Bayern Munich.
- In addition, they have also have a watertight defensive record at home; Toni Kroos' goal for Bayern in the 1-1 draw ended a run of 573 minutes without conceding at home in Europe.
- Interestingly, this is only Napoli's second home fixture against an English opponent; the first was a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in last season's Europa League.
- Manchester City are still looking for their first win in Italy at the fourth attempt. The feat could follow up with their first ever Champions League victory and also their first away victory in the competition, both coming against Villarreal on matchday four.
- They ended a wait of three decades to visit Serie A opposition last season by drawing 1-1 with Juventus in the Europa League group stage last season.
- That result at the Stadio Grande Torino means that City's last three games against sides from the peninsula have finished 1-1.
Napoli are a plucky, exciting side who certainly have a goal in them with their blistering counter-attacks but, despite their putting up a great fight at the Etihad Stadium, it seems unlikely that they will come out of this fixture with their hopes of qualifying intact. Roberto Mancini has City running riot at the minute and the likes of Balotelli and Silva should be able to pick holes in their wing-back system. Expect the Premier League leaders to push on into the knockout stages.
Editor's Prediction
Napoli 1-3 Man City 
