Betting tips for Man City vs Napoli and Newcastle vs Barcelona
Napoli to win or draw – manager’s record bodes optimism vs a disjointed Man City side
Newcastle to win or draw – atmosphere and home form to earn a result
Erling Haaland to score – will start and that normally means goals
Joelinton to be booked – strong trend over the last three seasons
Matchday one of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League continues, as Europe’s elite clubs begin their battle for glory on the biggest stage.
This year, the competition will see six English teams compete after UEFA’s new format allows for an extra place to be awarded based off of coefficient scores.
Tottenham and Arsenal got off to winning starts, as the North London rivals beat Spanish teams Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, respectively.
Thursday night will see 2022/23 winners Manchester City begin their campaign at home to Italian champions Napoli, whilst Newcastle United return to Europe’s finest club competition, for the second time in three years – following a 20-year absence.
Manager Eddie Howe’s side will host FC Barcelona in a historic match symbolic of the Magpies’ European endeavours in the 1990s, in which they beat the Catalonian side 3-2, at St James’ Park.
What are the best bets for Man City vs Napoli?
Napoli to win or draw
The hosts aren’t in spectacular form, despite their 3-0 win in the Manchester derby at the weekend.
They return to this competition following an underwhelming year last season, losing five of their last seven games.
Although the Italians don’t tend to do well in England, the fact that manager Antonio Conte has a good record against City manager Pep Guardiola offers some optimism.
Conte has beaten Guardiola in four of their seven head-to-heads.
Erling Haaland to score
It seems like every time that Manchester City play, Haaland finds the net.
He netted eight times in this competition last season, adding to his 22 English Premier League goals – though that record represented a quiet year for the striker.
Haaland has bagged five goals in four English Premier League matches so far this season, meaning that he will begin his UEFA Champions League campaign in form.
What are the best bets for Newcastle vs Barcelona?
Newcastle to win or draw
St James’ Park is widely recognised as one of the most difficult stadiums to play at as an opposition player.
The Magpies have continued to show that throughout recent years, not least in this competition two years ago, when they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 4-1.
It is also reflected in the stats, taking 120 English Premier League points at home since the opening day of the 2022/23 season – fourth highest in the division.
An atmospheric stadium filled with fanatic black and whites is all the fuel that these players need to get the job done, though they do face one of the most formidable clubs in football – who are more than capable of silencing the Geordie crowd.
Joelinton to be shown a card
The Brazil midfielder has been shown 29 yellow cards since the opening day of the 2022/23 season, more than any other Newcastle player.
His physical presence and style of play make him a livewire for atmospheres like the one that will be generated on Thursday night.
