Napoli will attempt to recover from their defeat on matchday one, as well as their setback against AC Milan on Saturday, when they welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday for round two of the Champions League league phase.
Read our Napoli vs Sporting Lisbon predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other UEFA Champions League predictions.
Contents
Napoli vs Sporting Lisbon prediction: Hosts aiming for bounceback win
Key stats:
- Napoli have scored the opening goal in both of their home matches this season.
- Sporting Lisbon have never secured an away victory against Italian opposition in European competition, losing 13 such fixtures.
- Napoli have won both of their home fixtures this season, averaging two goals per game.
Correct score prediction: Napoli 2-0 Sporting Lisbon
The Partenopei are desperate for a positive response and will be eager to secure maximum points despite failing to score in their two previous encounters with Sporting. Having taken victories in both home matches this campaign, scoring twice on average, a 2-0 success would not come as a surprise.
Champions League betting offer of the day
Pre-match analysis: Hosts tipped as favourites
- HOME: 5/6 (1.83) – 54.5%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change.
The odds highlight Napoli’s advantage heading into the contest, with the hosts given more than double the probability of victory compared to the visitors. The 1.83 price implies a 54.5% chance of success for Antonio Conte’s men, while Sporting’s 23.8% reflects their underdog status in Naples.
Our hot tip of a home win or draw and under 2.5 goals is priced at 2.38. Considering the previous low-scoring nature of this fixture, coupled with Napoli’s urgency for a result, it appears a value option.
Most recent H2H: Stalemates in both
The most recent meeting between the clubs came in the first round of the 1989-90 UEFA Cup, when both ties ended goalless. Napoli progressed on penalties after the deadlock in Lisbon and another stalemate in Naples.
Napoli preview: Conte battling defensive absentees
Napoli began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City, the first of two losses in their last three outings across all competitions. Conte’s side arrive at this tie following a 2-1 reverse against AC Milan in Serie A, and the pressure is mounting for a response.
The hosts will be without captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who is suspended after his red card at the Etihad, while key defenders Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera, Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno all missed the weekend clash and remain doubtful. Further concerns include striker Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Nikita Contini, who are both unavailable.
Predicted XI: Meret (GK), Spinazzola, Beukema, Jesus, Gutierrez, Lobotka, Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay & Hojlund
- 28/09/25: AC Milan 2-1 Napoli (L)
- 22/09/25: Napoli 3-2 Pisa (W)
- 18/09/25: Manchester City 2-0 Napoli (L)
- 13/09/25: Fiorentina 1-3 Napoli (W)
- 30/08/25: Napoli 1-0 Cagliari (W)
Sporting Lisbon preview: Rui Silva returns between the sticks
Sporting are seeking to win their opening two Champions League matches of a campaign for only the second time in their history, after sweeping aside Kairat Almaty 4-1 on matchday one. The Lions are brimming with confidence, their 1-0 win at Estoril on Saturday marking a fourth straight victory in all competitions.
Injury issues remain, however, with left-back Nuno Santos and centre-back Ousmane Diomande absent for the Almaty fixture and remain doubtful, while midfielder Daniel Braganca is still sidelined. However, goalkeeper Rui Silva returned from a hand injury at the weekend after missing three matches, and he is expected to start on Wednesday.
Predicted XI: Silva (GK), Fresneda, Inacio, Debast, Araujo, Hjulmand, Kochorashvili, Quenda, Trincao, Goncalves & Suarez
- 27/09/25: Estoril 0-1 Sporting CP (W)
- 22/09/25: Sporting CP 3-0 Moreirense (W)
- 18/09/25: Sporting CP 4-1 Kairat Almaty (W)
- 13/09/25: Famalicao 1-2 Sporting CP (W)
- 30/08/25: Sporting CP 1-2 FC Porto (L)
Player to watch: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne endured a difficult return to Manchester City on matchday one, substituted early as Conte reshaped his side following Di Lorenzo’s dismissal. The 34-year-old was also withdrawn against AC Milan at the weekend, despite converting from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit, and he appeared animated after the manager’s decision.
Although Conte addressed the Belgian’s reaction, attention will be on how De Bruyne responds on the pitch.