Napoli vs Sporting Lisbon Predictions

• Napoli have won four of their last six matches in all competitions
• Napoli have lost just two of their previous 14 UEFA competition meetings with Portuguese sides, winning eight
• Sporting Club are winless in six of their last seven UEFA Champions League games

Napoli need to bounce back

Napoli will be aiming to bounce back from their opening Champions League defeat to Manchester City when they host Sporting Lisbon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday evening.

Antonio Conte’s were not short of excuses at the Etihad after being reduced to ten men early in their 2-0 loss.  They had acquitted themselves well by using a high press at the Etihad before Giovanni Di Lorenzo was ordered off for his challenge on Erling Haaland.

Napoli’s home form is strong enough to encourage the belief that they will find a way to beat Sporting, who eased to a 4-1 win over Kairat Almaty in their league phase opener. The reigning Serie A champions had taken maximum points from their first four league games until Sunday’s 2-1 loss to AC Milan at San Siro checked their momentum.

Sporting have struggled away in Europe

Sporting arrive off the back of a 1-0 league win at Estoril, their fourth road victory in a row. But they have rarely convinced away from home in European competitions and are still yet to win a tie in Italy with five draws and five defeats in 10 previous trips.

Rui Borges’ men are scoring enough goals in domestic games to suggest they can nick one against a depleted Napoli defence that has sprung a few leaks recently. Conte is down to the bare bones with only two fit centre-backs available and is likely to be forced into changes in the full-back positions.

Kevin de Bruyne has been among the goals for Gli Azzurri this term, but he may pay the penalty for a show of petulance at being substituted on Saturday and may begin on the bench. Scott McTominay scored 12 goals from midfield last season and might be the dangerman to Sporting in a potential 2-1 win for the hosts.