Champions League action resumes on Tuesday night as Sporting Lisbon faces Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. This match marks an essential moment for both teams as they strive for better standings in their respective leagues. Sporting sits 14th in the 36-team table, two points away from automatic qualification, while PSG holds third place, three points ahead.
Match Preview
Sporting Lisbon comes into this encounter after a tough 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich on matchday five. Despite initially taking the lead with an own goal from Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich, they conceded three goals in just 12 minutes. This defeat halted their momentum, but they have a chance to bounce back on home ground, where they have won all three of their Champions League matches this season.
At home, Sporting Lisbon aims to achieve four consecutive Champions League wins for the first time in history. They have a strong track record against French teams, recording seven victories in their last nine home games against such opposition. This includes a notable win against Marseille on matchday three. Sporting also boasts a nine-game winning streak and remains unbeaten in their last 12 matches at home, positioning them well to contest PSG.
Team News
Sporting Lisbon faces challenges with several key players sidelined, including Pedro Goncalves, Nuno Santos, Ousmane Diomande, Geovany Quenda, and Fotis Ioannidis due to injuries. Club captain Morten Hjulmand is suspended following a series of yellow cards. However, Daniel Braganca has made a successful return from injury, and Geny Catamo recently performed well post-Africa Cup of Nations.
On the other side, Paris Saint-Germain is also missing several players, including Kang-In Lee and Matvey Safonov due to injuries, while Lucas Hernandez faces suspension after a red card against Tottenham. Notably, Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé scored twice in their last match, contributing to a 3-0 victory over Lille, which illustrates the team’s potential heading into this matchup.
Potential Lineups
| Sporting Lisbon | Paris Saint-Germain |
|---|---|
| Silva | Chevalier |
| Araujo, Inacio, Reis, Fresneda | Mendes, Marquinhos, Pacho, Araujo |
| Morita, Simoes | Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha |
| Guilherme, Trincao, Catamo | Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue |
Prediction
This vital clash promises to be highly competitive. A win for Sporting could elevate them into the top eight, while PSG seeks to secure automatic progression to the knockout phase. However, despite recent difficulties, PSG’s experience as reigning champions may give them the edge needed to overcome Sporting Lisbon. Our prediction is a close 2-1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain.
