On Wednesday night, Portuguese champions Sporting CP host Dutch giants Ajax at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Group C of the Champions League.
Sporting have been outstanding under their highly-rated head coach Ruben Amorim. Domestically Sporting have kicked off their campaign with a five-game unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga.
𝐇𝐙𝟐𝟐 x 𝐃𝐓𝟏𝟎Throwback to the last time we played in 🇵🇹#UCL #spoaja pic.twitter.com/yH2tbLoCEi— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 13, 2021
𝐇𝐙𝟐𝟐 x 𝐃𝐓𝟏𝟎Throwback to the last time we played in 🇵🇹#UCL #spoaja pic.twitter.com/yH2tbLoCEi
However, the Lions have drawn their last two league games against Famalicao and last time out Porto.
Their record may be a stellar one in the Portuguese top-flight, but their recent record in the Champions League is not a great one. It must be said that the Portuguese team have not featured in the competition since 2017, though.
The current squad and boss will be confident of improving their poor record in Europe’s elite competition. That record badly needs improving, as the Lions have won just one of their last five matches in the Champions League, suffering three defeats in the process.
Just like their host, Ajax have kicked off their league campaign with an unbeaten run, as Erik ten Hag’s team are unbeaten in their four league matches so far in the current campaign.
They have also looked sharp in attack in their opening few games with former West Ham striker Sebastian Haller scoring four goals in as many league appearances this season.
Ajax are of course a famous name when it comes to European football’s elite competition. However, the Dutch team have experienced mixed fortunes in the last few seasons in the competition.
Last season for example they won just two of their six group games while suffering three defeats in a tough group also containing Liverpool and dangerous Italian team Atalanta.
One major plus that remains for Ajax in the Champions League is their away form. Only Liverpool have beaten the Dutch giants on their travels in 13 matches in the competition.
These two teams are well matched. Therefore, it is of little surprise that Forebet predicts that this game will finish in a low-scoring draw.