Sporting Lisbon welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Estadio Jose Alvalade in a top of Group D showdown.
Victory would see Sporting Lisbon stay top of Group D but Tottenham can displace their Portuguese hosts at the summit with a win.
Team News
Sporting Lisbon have no fresh injury concerns to report as Jovane Cabral (thigh) and Daniel Braganca (knee) both remain absent.
Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns to report after Saturday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City was postponed due to national mourning, as Lucas Moura looks to return from a tendon injury.
Stat Attack
- This is Sporting Lisbon’s first meeting against Tottenham in all UEFA competitions.
- Tottenham are visiting Sporting Lisbon for the first time across all UEFA competitions.
- Spurs are the 11th different English team that Sporting Lisbon has faced in all UEFA competitions.
- Five of Sporting Lisbon’s last seven goals in all competitions have been scored by the combination of Franiscio Trincao (3) and Nuno Santos (2).
- Tottenham have lost just one of their last five away visits against Portuguese opposition in all UEFA competitions (W2, D2, L1).
Prediction
Having thrashed reigning Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening group match with ex Tottenham youngerster – Marcus Edwards impressing, Sporting Lisbon can come into this match with nothing to lose if they continue to adopt an aggressive clinical pressing style.
Tottenham meanwhile were frustrated by Marseille even when they had the extra one-man advantage in a sloppy performance, in which they only put two of 18 shots onto target which both resulted in goals via headers from Richarlison but a huge improvement is required here.
It however remains to be seen whether the postponement of Saturday’s match will mean an initially rusty start from Tottenham or not, although the psychological knowledge of being first English team to play football again following Queen Elizabeth’s death could provide extra motivation.
If both teams play like they did last week, I would fancy a home win but Tottenham have the fresher legs and extra motivation to go for the win for national pride albeit away from home, which could well be crucial if they produce a cleaner and more clinical performance.
Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Result: Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
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