Napoli - Arsenal: UEFA Champions League season opener, prediction, facts and betting tips - September 9, 2026
On Wednesday, September 9, we will see the first-round match of the new UEFA Champions League season. Napoli will host Arsenal, with the match kicking off at 21:00 CET. I suggest a betting tip for this game.
Napoli - Arsenal: Match preview
Napoli parted ways with Antonio Conte at the end of last season, with Massimiliano Allegri appointed as the new head coach. The start to the new season has not been successful at all. The Neapolitans beat Genoa 2-0 in the opening round, but then lost 1-2 to Como and 2-3 to Inter. Just three points after three rounds, and the new UEFA Champions League campaign is about to begin. Last season, Napoli finished second in the table with 76 points from 38 rounds, while they were crowned champions in the 2024/25 campaign.
Arsenal enter this season as English champions and finalists of the previous UEFA Champions League edition. The Gunners have won all three of their matches in the new Premier League season, including a 2-1 victory over Chelsea. The Gunners also won the FA Community Shield, thrashing Manchester City 3-0, and now Mikel Arteta's side will try to make a strong start to their UEFA Champions League campaign. The team have never won this tournament, so they will clearly try to achieve that in this campaign.
Match facts and H2H
- Napoli have lost their last two matches.
- Napoli have scored in 11 consecutive matches.
- Arsenal have won their last five matches.
- Arsenal's scoring streak has now reached 17 consecutive matches.
- Arsenal have won four of their last five away matches.
- Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 in their last head-to-head meeting.
Probable lineups
- Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Marin, Rrahmani, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Anguissa; Politano, Hojlund, Santos
- Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
Prediction
Arsenal are in excellent form, and I think the team will be able to win this match and extend their winning streak. The bet is on an Arsenal win at odds of 1.78.
