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Man City's aim of lifting the Champions League trophy once more will begin this week when Pep Guardiola's side opens their league stage campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
Italian champions Napoli are the visitors on Match Day 1, in what promises to be an enthralling contest between two high-quality sides. City head into the match off the back of a convincing 3-0 win against Manchester United on Sunday, with attacking talisman Erling Haaland looking in ominously dangerous form.
After suffering a rare trophyless season last time out, the Cityzens will be chomping at the bit to reverse that outcome this time around and try to replicate their historic 2023 success when they went all the way in European football's elite competition.
Bookmakers Bet365 have City at 13/20 to win their opening match against Napoli, with a draw priced at 3/1. An away win for Gli Azzurri is offered at 4/1.
Looking at the wider picture, Bet365 have City at 9/1 to win the whole competition, with 6/1 Liverpool and Barcelona considered the joint favourites.
The view from our Man City writer, Tyrone Marshall
Manchester City will feel they have a point to prove in this season’s Champions League. Their European exit in February was probably the most disappointing element of a below-par season. They made a mess of the group stage and then made a mess of a promising first-leg position against Real Madrid in the play-off round.
That will provide extra motivation to get it right this season. They will know that finishing in the top eight is a must, really, to try and make life a little easier. Achieve that, and there is no reason they can’t aim to win it again.
Doing that will depend on Erling Haaland staying fit and scoring goals, Phil Foden getting back to his best and Rodri proving he is completely over his knee injury. Those three players at their best transform this team.
But the theme of the group stage will be reunions. Kevin De Bruyne will be back with Napoli, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane with Galatasaray, and loanee Claudio Echeverri could hurt his parent club with Bayer Leverkusen.
Then there is yet another meeting with Real in December. People are pretty bored of that tie now, but it might offer us a good gauge of where this new-look City team are heading towards the end of 2025.
Win tickets to a Champions League match
Bet365 are giving fans the opportunity to win two tickets to a Champions League match throughout the tournament, as part of their big ticket giveaway.
Apply for your UEFA Champions League Tickets Here – T&Cs Apply
Significant Terms and Conditions
- The giveaway for each match fixture will be a separate promotion subject to these terms and conditions. Please check the opening and closing dates for each fixture giveaway, below.
- This Promotion is free to enter. No purchase is required.
- This Promotion is offered across the bet365 platform, and your chance to win will be shared with entrants from other eligible countries.
- To enter a prize draw, create or login to your bet365 account, go to our giveaway page and select the match you would like to win by clicking “Enter” by the deadlines indicated.
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- Entry into a match giveaway must be made by no later than 11.59pm (UK time) on the closing date specified for that fixture.
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- You may only enter the giveaway for one match per week of the UCL competition. A maximum of four prizes can be won per person over the lifetime of this Promotion.
- In each match giveaway, excluding Spanish team home games, 5 winners will each win 2x match tickets to the selected UEFA Champions League men’s football match. For Spanish team home games, 1 winner will win 2x match tickets to the selected UEFA Champions League men's football match. Tickets may only be used by the selected winner and a guest of their choice (aged 18+). Tickets may not be transferred, sold or exchanged.
- The prize does not include hospitality, travel, accommodation, travel insurance, food and drink or spending money. Such costs are the exclusive responsibility of the winner.
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Man City Champions League fixtures for Round 1 league stage
Thursday, September 18 - Napoli (H)
Wednesday, October 1 - Monaco (A)
Tuesday, October 21 - Villareal (A)
Tuesday, November 5 - Borussia Dortmund (H)
Tuesday, November 25 - Bayer Leverkusen (H)
Wednesday, December 10 - Real Madrid (A)
Tuesday, January 20 - Man City (A)
Wednesday, January 28 - Galatasaray (H)
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