Napoli v Arsenal: Champions League prediction, lineups and tips

Napoli and Arsenal both open their Champions League league-phase campaigns tonight, and the visitors arrive as the shorter-priced side by some distance. Bet365 make Arsenal 1.62 to win in Naples, with Napoli out at 5.50 and the draw priced at 3.90.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has hosted some famous European nights, but this Napoli side go into the match with a lengthy absentee list. Arsenal, by contrast, have no player named on the current injury list for this fixture.

This is the first Champions League fixture of the season for both clubs under the competition's league-phase format, so there is no earlier round form to draw on. Napoli go into the game having to reshuffle a defence and midfield hit hard by injuries in the build-up. Arsenal arrive with a settled group and a squad packed with attacking options, including summer additions who have added depth up front.

Neither club has kicked a ball yet in this season's league phase, so tonight's result will set the early tone for both in a section of the table that currently has Arsenal down in seventh with no points and no games played, a position that reflects the fixture list rather than form.

Five of Napoli's supplied squad players are unavailable for this one, which limits any rotation the home side might otherwise have fancied for an opening group game. Expect close to a full-strength XI out of necessity rather than choice.

Arsenal have no such selection headache. With nothing on the injury list for the visitors, expect a strong XI sent out in Naples to try to make an early statement in the group.

Kick-off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 9 September. A UK broadcast partner is confirmed at competition level for this season's Champions League, though the exact channel or stream for this individual fixture has not yet been confirmed and will be updated closer to kick-off. As a league-phase match, the game is not settled by extra time or penalties. A draw is a valid result and both sides will take a point from it.