Napoli return to Stadio Maradona to welcome the Portuguese club, Sporting, looking to steady themselves after a bruising Champions League opener at Manchester City, where Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s early red card proved costly in a 2-0 defeat.
Antonio Conte’s side had otherwise started the season brightly, but with two losses in their last three games, including a setback against AC Milan, the Scudetto holders need a response. History offers encouragement. Napoli have lost just four of their 30 home games in this competition.
Sporting, meanwhile, arrive in Naples with momentum after dismantling Kairat 4-1 in their opening group game, with Francisco Trincao netting twice. Rui Borges’ men have also been flying in Portugal, winning six of their first seven league matches while keeping things tight defensively.
Yet their European record in Italy is bleak, with 13 defeats in 17 visits, making this trip a serious test of their early-season form.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Napoli vs. Sporting CP live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Champions League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is available for live TV in English in the U.S. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which offers free trials to new subscribers. New subscribers can enjoy Paramount+ for one week before making a payment.
Paramount+ offers on the go streaming service beyond one sport. In addition to football, Paramount+ gives subscribers the ability to watch basketball, golf, and soccer with UFC on the way in 2026, and they won't have to break the bank in order to follow along with the latest sporting events.
What time does Napoli vs. Sporting CP kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at Stadio Maradona in Naples, Italy, and kicks off on Wednesday, October 1, at 9 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 12:00 p.m. |
Napoli vs. Sporting CP lineups, team news
Napoli remain stretched defensively, with Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Alessandro Buongiorno all absent against Milan.
Conte’s problems grow with Giovanni Di Lorenzo suspended and youngster Luca Marianucci ineligible, leaving only Spinazzola and Olivera in line to return.
Up front, Romelu Lukaku is still sidelined, so Lorenzo Lucca and Rasmus Hojlund will compete to take the reins.
Napoli predicted XI (4-1-4-1, right to left): Meret (GK) — Spinazzola, Beukema, Jesus, Gutierrez — Lobotka — Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay — Hojlund.
Injured: Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Lukaku, Contini
Suspended: Di Lorenzo
Sporting are also missing key men, with Daniel Braganca, Nuno Santos, and Ousmane Diomande unavailable, though Rui Silva’s return in goal is a boost.
Luis Suarez, fresh from a prolific September with Colombia, is set to spearhead the attack, supported by Pote Goncalves, Francisco Trincao and Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda in the wide areas.
Sporting CP predicted XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): Fabianski (GK) — Coufal, Zouma, Kostas, Emerson — Soucek, Alvarez — Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta — Antonio.
Injured: Diomander, Braganca, Santos
Suspended:
Champions League fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, September 30
- Atalanta vs. Club Brugge (12:45 p.m.)
- Kairat vs. Real Madrid (12:45 p.m.)
- Atletico Madrid vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (3:00 p.m.)
- Bodø/Glimt vs. Tottenham Hotspur (3:00 p.m.)
- Chelsea vs. Benfica (3:00 p.m.)
- Galatasaray vs. Liverpool (3:00 p.m.)
- Inter Milan vs. Slavia Prague (3:00 p.m.)
- Marseille vs. Ajax (3:00 p.m.)
- Pafos vs. Bayern Munich (3:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 1
- Qarabağ vs. Copenhagen (12:45 p.m.)
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Newcastle United (12:45 p.m.)
- Arsenal vs. Olympiakos (3:00 p.m.)
- Barcelona vs. PSG (3:00 p.m.)
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. PSV (3:00 p.m.)
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Athletic Club (3:00 p.m.)
- Monaco vs. Manchester City (3:00 p.m.)
- Napoli vs. Sporting CP (3:00 p.m.)
- Villarreal vs. Juventus (3:00 p.m.)