Napoli will have their work cut out for them after the 1-0 defeat at El Madrigal, with the Azzurri searching for the first win after three games.

Villarreal arrive at Stadio San Paolo in very good spirits having kept five clean sheets in a row, so they definitely look like the favourites to go through.

What seemed a very promising season could turn into an utter disappointment unless Napoli can end the latest poor run any time soon.

The Azzurri were very close to staying at the Serie A summit, but eventually conceded a late goal in the top of the table clash against Juventus and slipped to second in the standings.

And having since also failed to beat AC Milan at home, Napoli will clearly have a lot to prove when they host Villarreal in the second leg of their Europa League tie.

With the clash coming just three days before an important league game against Fiorentina, coach Maurizio Sarri is again expected to ring changes to his starting line-up, which is why odds of 1.75 (3/4) offered on home win do not look too tempting.

The likes of Ivan Strinic, Vlad Chiriches, Mirko Valdifiori, David Lopez, Dries Mertens and Manolo Gabbiadini will again get a chance to shine, while there are no fresh injury worries to report.

Meanwhile, Marek Hamsik should keep his place and he will be looking to extend the run of scoring in three of five matches against Villarreal.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Reina – Hysaj, Chiriches, Koulibaly, Strinic – Hamsik, Valdifiori, Lopez – Callejon, Gabbiadini, Mertens.

Villarreal have enjoyed plenty of success since returning to the elite division and this could prove to be the most impressive season yet.

The Yellow Submarine hold an eight-point advantage over their rivals for the final Champions League berth in La Liga, while they are doing quite well in Europe also.

After winning four of last five group games to secure the first place in the standings, Villarreal enjoyed a 1-0 triumph over red-hot Napoli at El Madrigal.

As a result, they head into the return leg high on confidence, with their latest performances giving them hope ahead of the trip to Stadio San Paolo.

Namely, Villarreal are unbeaten in last seven, while keeping five straight clean sheets, and preventing Atletico and Athletic from scoring in their last two away games.

Coach Marcelino Garcia Toral welcomes back goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo after a ten-month absence, but Samuel Garcia and Jonathan Dos Santos are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Areola – Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Jaume Costa – Samu Castillejo, Trigueros, Bruno, Denis Suarez – Baptistao, Soldado.