Match Preview :

Man City travel to Naples for their penultimate UEFA Champions League group game tonight knowing that a win can secure their spot in the knock out stages. Roberto Mancini's side are currently in second place in Group A, three points behind leaders Bayern Munichand two ahead of their Italian counter parts.

Mancini was quick to point out that the opening 1-1 draw was down to nerves in the big stage for the first time when they clashed in September. Back then it was Aleksandar Kolarov who rescued City after they went 1 down and their performance then was nowhere their Premiership display. But after the draw and the 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich two weeks later, City have picked themselves up and have learnt their lesson.

Two consecutive wins against Villarreal with a 3-0 win in Spain as well means City can qualify from Group A with a game to spare with victory in the Stadio Sao Paolo tonight. That though will be easier said than done as the Premier League leaders will have to battle a hostile crowd as well as the 11 players in Naples tonight.

It has to be said that for the record, the Stadio Sao Paolo is one of the more atmospheric grounds on the continent and an away team has not won there in Europe for 17 years! City can be guaranteed of a hot reception when they get on the pitch for sure.

Nevertheless, the fans will, however, have a special place in their hearts for City forward Sergio Aguero, whose father-in-law Diego Maradona is still revered by Napoli fans after he helped them to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990.

If City were to lose this match then Napoli can overtake them in the standings into second and leave Mancini's men needing a win against leaders Bayern Munich in their final game, as well as a favour from Villarreal, to secure passage to the knock-out stages and thus avoid dropping into the Europa League.

Mancini would not want to drop to the Europa League considering his side are doing so qwell in the Premiership at the moment. The Italian has therefore taken a strong squad with him to Naples, with only the ineligible Owen Hargreaves and outcast Carlos Tevez not in the squad.

Yaya Toure and Aguero both limped off in the 3-1 win against Newcastle at the weekend but are expected to be fit ahjead of this clash.

Meanwhile, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has played down his side chances when he said that he is glad to be still in with a shout of qualification at this stage of the competition. Just like City, they got stronger as the competition progressed, beating Villarreal before taking a credible draw against Bayern.

They slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat in Munich last time out but their display still gave plenty reasons for the coach to bel;ieve they can make it to the knock out stages. Their 0-0 draw with Lazio at the weekend was their fifth clean sheet in seven Serie A matches, however they have won just once in seven across all competitions.

For the likes of Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani who are reportedly being targetted by Manchester City, the pressure will be on them to perform in front of their home crowd here. Uruguay midfielder Walter Gargano made his comeback against Lazio at the weekend and is in contention for at least a place on the bench. Goran Pandev also made a return after recovering from a muscle strain suffered last month and could be on the bench as well.

Predictions :

Take Manchester City to win and give the 1/4 ball.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

Napoli 0-1 Manchester City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Manchester City to win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet:
Take Manchester City -1/4 AH