Sporting Lisbon welcome Manchester City to Estadio Jose Alvalade in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2021-22 Champions League.
Sporting qualified for this stage after finishing as Group C runners-up, whilst Man City topped Group A which handed them the second leg of this tie at home.
Team News
Pedro Porro will be eligible to play for Sporting Lisbon because UEFA rules allows loan players to face their parent club in European competitions.
Pedro Goncalves (muscle) is the only injury doubt for the Portugese team.
Man City could welcome Gabriel Jesus back from a knock which has forced him to miss their last three matches.
Jack Grealish (shin) is a doubt but Kyle Walker is suspended for their next three UEFA matches after his red card at RB Leipzig in December.
Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Cancelo are all looking to start after being rested in their Premier League win at Norwich on Saturday.
Cole Palmer (unspecified) and Benjamin Mendy (personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Sporting have won one of two previous meetings against Man City (W1, L1), although this is their first-ever clash within the Champions League after both previous clashes came in Europa League in 2012-13 season.
- Man City lost their only previous visit to Sporting Lisbon by 1-0 result in March 2012 as Xandao scored a 32nd minute winner for the hosts.
- Sporting has played out 1-0 results in each of their last three home clashes against English opposition in all UEFA competitions, despite winning just one of those clashes which came against Man City in March 2013 (W1, L2).
- Four of Sporting’s eight home goals in the Group Stage were scored by Pedro Goncalves.
- Three of Man City’s six away goals in the Group Stage were scored by Riyad Mahrez.
Prediction
Despite having a leaky defence which shipped 12 goals in the group stage, Sporting cannot be underestimated after knocking out Borussia Dortmund in Group C in which they imposed an aggressive pressing style which will make them a difficult team for City to handle.
Pep Guardiola’s Citizens however were superb in their Premier League win at Norwich on Saturday, in which they played their own aggressive attacking style but with excellent patience and clinical play minus some key players like Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne who were rested.
Sporting though are a step up from Norwich but if Man City play like they did on Saturday but with increased player quality, I definitely can’t see them not winning this despite whatever Sporting throw their way.
Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Sporting Lisbon 0-5 Manchester City
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