Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye is expected to feature in Villarreal’s starting line-up when they host Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, as both sides seek their first points of this season’s competition.
The Spanish club welcome the Italian side to the Estadio de la Ceramica for their Matchday 2 fixture, scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
Gueye is included in Villarreal’s predicted starting eleven, with the Senegal international expected to occupy a midfield role in a projected 4-4-2 formation.
However, the proposed line-ups remain unconfirmed ahead of kick-off.
Villarreal and Napoli are both looking to recover from disappointing starts to their European campaigns after failing to progress beyond the league phase last season.
The two clubs will therefore be eager to secure a positive result as they attempt to get their Champions League campaigns moving.
Gueye is projected to line up alongside Santi Comesaña in the centre of Villarreal’s midfield, with Yeremy Pino and Álex Baena expected to provide support from the wider positions.
The predicted Villarreal team also includes Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno in attack, while the defensive line is expected to feature Santiago Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga and Sergi Cardona.
Péter Gulácsi or Luiz Júnior could start in goal, according to the provisional team selection.
For Gueye, the anticipated inclusion offers a chance to contribute as Villarreal look to make home advantage count against a Napoli side that is also under pressure to improve in Europe.
The Senegalese midfielder’s expected presence in the starting eleven adds an African dimension to a fixture involving two clubs seeking an early turnaround in the competition.
Napoli could also feature African representation, with Democratic Republic of the Congo international Cyril Ngonge listed as a possible starter.
Ngonge is projected to feature in attack, although Matteo Politano is another option under consideration in the predicted line-up.
Napoli’s proposed team includes Alex Meret in goal, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Rafa Marín among the defensive options.
Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay are also listed in the projected midfield, while Rasmus Højlund is expected to feature up front.
Napoli could deploy either a 3-5-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Tuesday’s encounter carries added importance because neither team managed to progress beyond the league phase in the previous campaign.
Both clubs have consequently begun the new European season with pressure to improve their performances and collect points.
