Champions League: Villarreal vs. Napoli – Probable line-ups and where to watch on TV

Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour are expected to start for Napoli in an away Champions League match against Villarreal.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET [20:00 BST] at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Vila-real, Spain.

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Scott McTominay of Napoli is challenged by Lucas Da Cunha of Como during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The Partenopei still lack depth in attack, with Alisson Santos and Antonio Vergara injured, and the same is true in central defence, with Alessandro Buongiorno out.

Multiple Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia, claim that Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri will stick to a three-man defence after beating Frosinone 3-0 in Serie A this past Saturday.

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Billy Gilmour of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Scotland internationals Gilmour and McTominay are expected to start in central midfield. McTominay will make his first Napoli start after undergoing a minor heart procedure in September. He already returned to action last weekend, coming off the bench as a substitute against Frosinone.

Brazilian striker Giovane has been reintroduced to the Napoli UEFA list following an injury to Costantino Favasuli and challenges Noa Lang for a starting spot in attack to partner Rasmus Hojlund.

Villarreal vs. Napoli – where to watch on TV

The match is available on TNT Sports 6 and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates for this match and Inter-Club Brugge via a live blog.

Villarreal vs. Napoli – probable line-ups

Villarreal (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Mourino, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Carlos Romero; Ilias, Pape Gueye, Saliba, Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze.

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Rafa Marin, Rrahmani, Badiashile; Di Lorenzo, Gilmour, McTominay, Spinazzola; Giovane, De Bruyne; Hojlund.