Prediction: Sporting vs Juventus

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

We’re heading into another week full of exciting European action, and that’s especially true in the UEFA Europa League. Eight clubs have been battling incredibly hard in the name of reaching the final four, with all of them knowing exactly what they have to do in their second leg encounters. Today, we’ll be heading to Portugal to take a look at what should be a fun clash between Sporting Lisbon and Juventus.

Sporting Lisbon

They may not be in the title race mix in Primeira Liga this season, but that doesn’t mean Sporting Lisbon are having a terrible campaign – not by any stretch. Their primary focus has been on exploits in Europe and up to this point, they’ve been faring pretty well. Their most notable scalp came when they knocked Arsenal out on penalties in the last round, which should be enough to prove that they won’t go down without a fight.

Team News

Braganca, Cabral and Paulinho are all injured here with St. Juste and Edwards set to be assessed before kick-off.

Juventus

Another point deduction highlights that there’s still a long way to go for Juventus behind the scenes. They are easily one of the most powerful forces in Italian football, and across the globe, but that doesn’t mean a thing if they can’t stay on the straight and narrow. With veterans galore and turbulence off the pitch, it’ll be interesting to see how they navigate through the remainder of this campaign.

Team News

Jorge is a confirmed injury absence for this one with Kean and Di Sciglio both being fitness concerns.

Factors to Consider

• Juventus beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg last week.
• Sporting have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
• Juventus have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Sporting have scored nine goals and conceded six in their last six games.
• Juventus have scored five goals and conceded four in their last six games.

Conclusion

Juventus have been keeping things tight at both ends of the pitch recently but in this game, we expect Sporting to really bring them out of their shell. The boys from Lisbon are going to push the pace and go in search of the goal that eluded them in the first leg, and we believe they’re going to get it. As they attempt to hold on until extra time, though, the Italians will scramble home an equaliser to ensure they progress into the semis.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 888sport