Kevin De Bruyne’s wait for his first start of the season is expected to continue, whilst Cesc Fabregas is likely to make some subtle alterations to his Como line-up when he and his side visit Napoli at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A on Sunday evening.
This is a big early clash in the race for the Serie A top four: Napoli finished second behind Inter last term while Fabregas took Como to the Champions League for the first time with a fourth-place finish.
Massimiliano Allegri has replaced Antonio Conte in the Napoli dugout and led the Partenopei to a late 2-0 victory away against Genoa in the opening round of Serie A fixtures last weekend.
GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Antonio Vergara of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Pre-match reports from Sky Sport Italia indicate that Allegri is inclined to stick with the same starting XI as last weekend, which means Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay in midfield, but no De Bruyne.
Benoit Badiashile is expected to be included in the matchday squad for the first time since his transfer from Chelsea.
Como were held to a 1-1 draw away against Udinese last weekend, and according to Sky, Fabregas has some doubts in his mind as to his starting XI this weekend.
UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Nico Paz of Como and Oumar Solet of Udinese in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on August 22, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Assane Diao could be introduced to the attack, and though Mattia Liberali is pushing for a starting spot, Martin Baturina and Nico Paz are likely to keep their positions.
Kick-off this evening is due at 17.30 BST.
Napoli vs. Como: Probable line-upsGENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Napoli before the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, A.Santos.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Where to watch Napoli vs. ComoUDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Cesc Fabregas, Como manager, looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on August 22, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Tonight’s game will be available to watch live on TV in the UK on TNT Sports 1, and online through HBO Max and DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
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