Champions League underdogs that can spring a surprise this season

3. Napoli

They might have been pushed into the so-called ‘Group of Death’ of this season’s UEFA Champions League, but despite the strength of their competition in Group F and their low seeding, cannot be written off as contenders to make the Round of 16.

They have a settled team with them, and with the sale of Edinson Cavani over the summer, have been able to facilitate moves for the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol, Pepe Reina, Duval Zapata and Dries Mertens. That reinvestment has paid rich dividends thus far in the new season, as the Naples-based team lie atop the Italian Serie A with maximum points and 9 goals from their first three matches.

Their pre-season friendly against Arsenal, where they drew 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium, will be a rough measure of the fact that they can hold their ground against the group’s top seeds. Borussia Dortmund, who currently lead the Bundesliga and were losing finalists in last season’s Champions League, will be a tough nut to crack for the Italian outfit, but surely are not impregnable, while Marseille are a team that Rafael Benitez’s side will be expecting to beat.

Away trips against Arsenal and Marseille in the second and third gameweeks will be crucial for Napoli, with good results in the first half of the stage set to ensure them a passage to the knockout rounds.