Pape Gueye expected to start for Villarreal against Napoli in Champions League

Senegal international Pape Gueye is expected to feature in Villarreal’s starting line-up for their UEFA Champions League meeting with Napoli on Tuesday, with both sides preparing for their second matchday fixture.

The Spanish side will host the Italian club in a match scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT, with Gueye tipped to occupy a place in midfield as Villarreal look to make an impact in the European competition.

The predicted line-ups suggest Villarreal could use a 4-4-2 formation, with Gueye partnering Santi Comesaña in central midfield. The Senegalese midfielder is expected to play an important role in the team’s setup, alongside Álex Baena and Yeremy Pino.

Villarreal’s potential starting eleven 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.

However, the final selection remains subject to confirmation before kick-off.

Gueye tipped to feature in Villarreal midfield

Gueye is among the players expected to start as Villarreal prepare to face Napoli in their second Champions League fixture.

The predicted formation places the Senegalese international alongside Comesaña in the centre of midfield, with Pino and Baena expected to operate on the flanks.

Villarreal’s possible starting line-up is Péter Gulácsi or Luiz Júnior in goal, with Mouriño, Navarro, Veiga and Cardona forming the defence.

Pino, Gueye, Comesaña and Baena are tipped to make up the midfield, while Pérez and Moreno are expected to lead the attack.

Villarreal’s predicted line-up (4-4-2): Péter Gulácsi or Luiz Júnior; Santiago Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Yeremy Pino, Pape Gueye, Santi Comesaña, Álex Baena; Ayoze Pérez, Gerard Moreno.

Napoli prepare for Villarreal test

Napoli are also expected to make several key selections as they travel to Spain for the Champions League encounter.

The Italian side could line up in either a 3-5-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Alex Meret tipped to start behind a defence featuring Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Rafa Marín.

Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay are among the midfield options expected to feature, while Rasmus Højlund is tipped to lead the attack.

Cyril Ngonge, who represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo internationally, could also start, although Matteo Politano is another option for the position.

Napoli’s predicted line-up: Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marín; Pasquale Mazzocchi, Stanislav Lobotka, Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay; Cyril Ngonge or Matteo Politano, Rasmus Højlund.

Both teams will be looking to make their mark in the competition as they prepare for Tuesday’s meeting. However, the proposed formations and player selections remain predictions, with the official starting line-ups expected to be confirmed before kick-off.