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Confident Sterling could star in a thriller

In-form Citizens up against Napoli hotshots

Raheem Sterling (right) and Gabriel Jesus enjoyed the 7-2 rout of Stoke
Raheem Sterling (right) and Gabriel Jesus enjoyed the 7-2 rout of StokeCredit: Laurence Griffiths

Champions League
BT Sport 3, 7.45pm Tuesday

Manchester City produced an irresistible attacking display in their 7-2 Premier League win over Stoke on Saturday but Champions League visitors Napoli aren't short of confidence in front of goal themselves.

City have made a blistering start to the domestic campaign, with a goal difference of plus 25 after seven wins and a draw in eight games.

They are a warm order to beat a Napoli side who have won all eight of their Serie A matches this term. Five of those victories came away from home - the latest a 1-0 triumph at Roma on Saturday.

The one blot on Napoli's early-season record was a shock 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar in their Group F opener but the other results in the section suggest these sides should ease through to the knockout stage.

Napoli responded to the Shakhtar setback with a 3-1 home win over Feyenoord while City have won their first two games by an aggregate score of 6-0.

It's no secret that these are two of the most attractive attacking sides in Europe and bookmakers are taking few chances with quotes of 2-5 about over 2.5 goals and similar odds that both teams score.

Napoli don't tend to go into their shells even in the biggest fixtures - they took the lead in both legs of the last-16 tie with Real Madrid last season before losing 6-2 on aggregate - and no goalscorer is priced up at a dismissive 30-1.


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There are goal threats everywhere you look, especially with Sergio Aguero available after his swift recovery from a rib injury sustained in a car crash.

But Raheem Sterling stands out as each-way first-goalscorer value at 8-1 with Sky Bet.

Speaking on Monday, Sterling said: "I need to make sure I am getting in the box, getting on the end of stuff. With the players we've got in the team, you know there's a chance coming to you."

A tally of seven goals in 11 club appearances this season suggests he is relishing the service from Kevin de Bruyne and the rest of City's creative unit and he looks a big price to spark the anticipated feast of goals.

Recommendation
R Sterling first goalscorer
1pt each-way 8-1 Sky Bet

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero, an unused sub against Stoke on Saturday, is pushing for a start. Vincent Kompany is doubtful and Benjamin Mendy (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Napoli
Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik is out until the new year with a knee injury.

Key stat
Manchester City and Napoli have won 21 of their combined 23 games in all competitions this season.


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James MiltonRacing Post Sport

Published on 16 October 2017inFootball tips

Last updated 19:45, 16 October 2017

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