Napoli did not start in the best way in the championship. Gennaro Gattuso’s team is only on the sixth line in the table after eight rounds. The situation became critical for the Neapolitans. The Champions League zone is at a distance of two points, which is quite possible to win back today. The leader of Milan has already been pulled ahead by six points. In the last matches of the championship “Napoli” had serious problems. In the sixth round there was a 0:2 defeat from “Sassuolo”. Then, the parthenopes beat Bologna with a score 1:0 away, but not without difficulty. But then again they stumbled in the last round, losing 1:3 to Milan. This is the third defeat in eight league matches. In the Europa League Napoli feels more confident. After four rounds the club is leading the group. However, the question of reaching the playoffs remains open. Real Sociedad and AZ have only two points less. On Thursday, Napoli beat Rijeka with a score 2:0 without meeting any resistance.
Red Devils have always set themselves the most serious tasks. The best years, however, have come in the era of Alex Ferguson, when Manchester United terrified rivals both domestically and in European competition. Out of 20 championship titles the Mankunians won 13 under the leadership of the Scotsman. Having won the “gold medals” in the 2012/2013 season, Ferguson ended his coaching career and with his departure the “red devils” cannot interfere in the championship showdown. Last season, the club’s management made a bet on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but he has not yet managed to create a team that solves the highest tasks. At the end of the last season the Norwegian nevertheless dragged Manchester United into the Champions League and the team performs well there. After four rounds they lead the group. Although the most important matches are still ahead. In the championship the red devils are settled in 11th place before the upcoming match. The team has 13 points in the asset, which is four less than the future rival Southampton and seven less than the leader Tottenham. However, there is still a match in reserve. In the last rounds they managed to beat the bloodied Everton (3:1) and the outsider West Bromwich (1:0), although before that in matches with more serious rivals Chelsea (0:0) and Arsenal (0:1) the Mankunians scored only one point. Personnel losses are too high. Luke Shaw, Sergio Romero and Phil Jones will definitely not play. However, a whole group of key players has minor injuries and their participation in the match is questionable. They are Marcus Rashford, Aaron Van-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Eric Bailly. Jesse Lingard is in quarantine.
