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Manchester City's record breaking start
Manchester City arrive in sensational form. The Citizens have dropped just two Premier League points in their first eight games while scoring 29 goals, more than anybody else at this stage of the season in the English top-flight since Sunderland in 1894-95.
Pep Guardiola's group have also collected maximum points from their opening two Champions League tussles for the first time ever, by an aggregate of 6-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord. Some pundits have now suggested City could be capable of claiming the treble, following their fabulous start.
Full-back Benjamin Mendy is sidelined long-term but Fabian Delph has proved a more than capable deputy so far. Elsewhere, Vincent Kompany remains a doubt for Tuesday but Sergio Aguero was back on the bench for the weekend's 7-2 smashing of Stoke and is available for selection here.
Napoli's perfect eight
Napoli were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Shakhtar Donetsk during their Group F opener but boss Maurizio Sarri surprisingly started key striker Dries Mertens and midfield maverick Jorginho on the bench in Ukraine last month.
The Partenopei bounced back to dispatch Feyenoord (3-1) with ease but president Aurelio De Laurentiis has already said he'd prefer to see important players rested on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Inter Milan in Serie A. Whether Sarri will heed De Laurentiis' advice remains to be seen with Arkadiusz Milik the only confirmed absentee.
It would be a shame if Napoli were to rest and rotate. The Italians are the only side to have made a perfect start to the season in Europe's top five leagues (W8-D0-L0) and ahead of their 1-0 triumph at Roma last weekend were averaging more goals per-game than any continental side on domestic duty.
Manchester City strong favourites to succeed
Manchester City 1.61 have W7-D3-L0 in their last 10 Champions League home ties - their best ever run without defeat at the Etihad in Europe's premier club competition. The hosts recorded impressive victories over Barcelona and Monaco here last season despite their quarter-final exit.
Pep Guardiola has said City will play "one of the three or four or five best teams, playing football and in results" in Europe on Tuesday night but Napoli head to Manchester as 6.00 outsiders as they hunt a first ever away triumph against English opposition (W0-D1-L5).
The Partenopei have W4-D2-L6 on their Champions League travels since 2011 but have claimed five wins from their last seven trips to top-six clubs in Serie A, including impressive three-pointers at both Roma and Lazio this term.
A thriller forecast at the Etihad
"With all due respect for Juventus and Roma, I think Napoli are the Italian team who play the best football, in fact the best in Europe."
Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain was full of praise for the Citizens' visitors when the Champions League draw was made in August, describing Napoli boss Sarri as "extraordinary". And the upcoming double header between the two clubs promises plenty for fans of the beautiful game.
Both Guardiola and Sarri are cut from the same cloth in terms of approach and philosophy. The pair prefer to play a dynamic, short passing attacking game whilst operating a suffocating press when out of possession. So the contest between the two should be a thing of beauty.
Considering the goalscoring exploits of the two teams this term, it's no surprise to see Over 2.5 Goals chalked up as short as 1.39 and Over 3.5 Goals a smidgen below the even-money mark at 1.94. Meanwhile, Both Teams To Score can be backed at just 1.42.
So instead, have a wee wager on Both Teams To Score In Both Halves at a more appetising 13/2. City's firepower is well known on these shores and Napoli boast the tools in forward areas to really put the Premier League side under pressure having scored at least twice in 10 of their 12 outings this season.
City may edge high-scoring encounter
None of Manchester City's last 38 Champions League group games have ended goalless so goalmouth entertainment is forecast for the Etihad. And it might pay to support the home side in the Correct Score market by backing Any Other Home Win at 4.50.
This selection excludes the 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 3-2 scorelines. Considering the Citizens are in such potent goalscoring form right now and seven of Napoli's last nine Champions League losses since 2011 featured at least four goals, supporting another thrilling encounter appears our best avenue of attack.
Recommended Bets
Back Both Teams To Score In Both Halves in Manchester City v Napoli @ 13/2 (Sportsbook)
Back Any Other home Win in Manchester City v Napoli @ 4.50
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