Kevin De Bruyne returns to his old stomping ground as his new club, Napoli, travel to the Etihad Stadium for a Champions League date with Manchester City.
De Bruyne joined Napoli earlier this summer after running down his contract with Man City.
Napoli could not qualify for the Champions League last season, while Manchester City exited in the play-offs after losing to Real Madrid.
This year, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to bounce back, and some bookmakers are tipping them to go all the way. Manchester City are 9/1 with football betting sites to win the UEFA Champions League this season. At 6/1, Liverpool are the current favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
De Bruyne Returns to the Etihad Stadium, But As a Foe
Between August 2015 and July 2025, Kevin De Bruyne treated Manchester City to numerous world class performances. During his stay, the Belgian played 422 games for City in all competitions, scoring 108 goals and providing 177 assists.
De Bruyne’s creativity and flair helped Manchester City to six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy among other honours. On Thursday night, he will use all his quality and wits to find a way to unlock Pep Guardiola’s mighty Man City.
Unlike previous seasons, the task does not seem as daunting. City have had a wobbly start to the season, having already lost twice in four Premier League matches.
Kevin de Bruyne is playing at the etihad tomorrow but not for us 😭 pic.twitter.com/FbMsFFDnPc
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) September 17, 2025
They opened the season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but suffered consecutive defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion (2-1) and Tottenham Hotspur (2-0). In their previous outing, City ended their unfortunate streak, beating Manchester United 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Unlike City, Italian champions Napoli have not had a problem finding their footing. Antonio Conte’s side are off to a perfect start, winning three games on the bounce, scoring six goals and conceding just one. Before turning their attention to Europe, Napoli made light work of Fiorentina, beating them 3-1 away from home.
Manchester City vs Napoli Match Details
⚽Teams: Manchester City vs Napoli
🗓️Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
🏆 Competition: Champions League – Matchday 1
🟥Ref: Felix Zwayer
⌚KO: 8:00 PM BST
📺Where to Watch: TNT Sports 2
🏟️Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Manchester City vs Napoli Stats and Head-to-Head
- Manchester City and Napoli have met four times in the Champions League: Man City 2 wins, Napoli 1 win, and 1 draw
- Previous meeting (Champions League 2016/17 Group F): Napoli 2-4 Manchester City
- Last result at the Etihad Stadium: Man City 2-1 Napoli
- Man City have won 1 and lost 4 of their last 5 Champions League matches
- At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 21 UCL Group Stage / League Phase meetings (W 18, D 3)
- Napoli have lost just 3 of their last 18 Champions League Group Stage / League Phase games (W 11, D 4)
- Napoli have faced 7 English clubs in European competitions, but have never beaten any of them away from home (D 3, L 9)
- Manchester City top scorer last season: Erling Haaland (34 goals in 48 games)
- Napoli top scorer last season: Romelu Lukaku (14 goals in 38 games)
- Manchester City form (recent first): W-L-L-W
- Napoli form (recent first): W-W-W
Manchester City vs Napoli Head-t0-Head
Napoli and Manchester City have met four times in Europe. With two wins, Manchester City have the edge in head-to-head stats. Napoli’s only victory over the Cityzens came at home on Matchday 5 of the 2011/12 Champions League season. They beat the Mancunians 2-1 on the night.
| Competition | Played | Manchester City (W) | Draw | Napoli (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Etihad Stadium | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Diego Armando Maradona Stadium | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Manchester City vs Napoli Matches
- 2017/18 Champions League Group Stage Matchday 4: Napoli 2-4 Man City
- 2017/18 Champions League Group Stage Matchday 3: Man City 2-1 Napoli
- 2011/12 Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5: Napoli 2-1 Man City
- 2011/12 Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1: Man City 1-1 Napoli
Manchester City vs Napoli Betting Odds – Main Markets
Napoli have been the more in-form team in the 2025/26 season, but the bookies are backing the hosts to get the win at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City are priced 4/6 to beat Napoli on Thursday night. Napoli, meanwhile, are at 4/1 to beat Manchester City.
Good morning, Cityzens 🩵 pic.twitter.com/DhviEWPzKQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 15, 2025
Both Man City and Napoli love to pull the trigger, which is why oddsmakers are expecting both to be on the scoresheet this Thursday. Lastly, we have Erling Haaland at 5/6 to score any time against Napoli.
Match Result
- Man City – 4/6
- Draw – 3/1
- Napoli – 4/1
Anytime Goalscorer
- Erling Haaland – 5/6
- Omar Marmoush – 3/1
- Phil Foden – 3/1
Both Teams to Score
- Yes – 3/4
- No – 13/1
*Odds are subject to change
Manchester City vs Napoli Prediction and Best Bet
Manchester City boast an exceptional record at home, are coming into the game on the back of a morale-boosting derby win, and have the better squad. It is hard not to back them for a win on Matchday 1 of the 2025/26 Champions League season.
Our Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Napoli
Man City vs Napoli Best Bet
While we are backing Manchester City to win, we are also pretty bullish about Napoli’s ability to score. They have scored in 15 of their last 16 UCL group stage games, and we believe they will extend their streak on Thursday.
Best Bet: Manchester City to Win and Both Teams to Score @12/5
