Prediction: Sporting Lisbon vs Tottenham

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: 888sport

We’re already into the second set of fixtures for the UEFA Champions League group stage and with so much going down in the first load of games, it’ll be really interesting to see who can build up some momentum with so little time to prepare this season. Today, we’re going to take a look at what should be a really fun encounter between Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham Hotspur.

Sporting Lisbon

Following on from a campaign in which they came up short in Primeira Liga, Sporting have gone on to have another edgy start to the season – when compared to how quick the rest of the top flight have started, of course. The positive for them is they have a squad that knows how to win and based on the win over Frankfurt, they aren’t afraid of the challenge that lies ahead in this particular group.

Team News

There are defensive issues for the hosts to deal with as Inacio and Neto are doubts, with St. Juste being on the shelf alongside Cabral and Braganca.

Tottenham

Being ‘Spursy’ is a joke that has long since haunted Tottenham Hotspur fans throughout their existence but in the present day, Antonio Conte is hoping to turn that ship around – and he’s doing a pretty solid job thus far. There’s still a long way to go and this squad is far from perfect but they’re winning games, and they’re doing so with a level of professionalism not seen since the Pochettino days.

Team News

Moura is the only confirmed injury absence with the manager being tipped to go with the same team that beat Marseille last week.

Factors to Consider

• Sporting and Tottenham are 1st and 2nd in Group D in the UCL.
• Sporting have won four and lost two of their last six games.
• Tottenham have won four and drawn two of their last six games.
• Sporting have scored 12 goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Tottenham have scored 10 goals and conceded four in their last six games.

Conclusion

The pressing of Sporting is going to lead to a few shaky moments for Spurs but we do think Conte would’ve prepared them to play deep, attempt to hit the Portuguese side on the counter, and learn how to soak up the pressure they come at them with. We don’t think this is going to be an all-time classic but the visitors will come away with a point in what we expect to be a 0-0 draw.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: 888sport