The 2021/22 Champions League resumes this week and on Tuesday the 15th of February we have a meeting between Sporting CP and Manchester City at the Estádio José Alvalade.
The hosts finished second in the group stages of the competition behind Ajax Amsterdam while Manchester City finished top of their group, 1 point clear of Paris Saint-Germain.
Em preparação para mais uma noite europeia ✨#UCL #SportingCP pic.twitter.com/KgBoRPi6Xq— Sporting Clube de Portugal 🏆 (@Sporting_CP) February 13, 2022
Em preparação para mais uma noite europeia ✨#UCL #SportingCP pic.twitter.com/KgBoRPi6Xq
Sporting CP come into this match on the back of a fiery 2-2 draw away from home against title rivals Porto in the Primeira Liga on Friday night.
Sporting CP found themselves 2-0 up after 34 minutes but Porto equalised 7 minutes before half-time. Sporting CP were reduced to 10 men early in the second half and Porto scored the equaliser in the 78th minute.
That was how the game finished but there was carnage at the end of the match as both teams had two players sent off after the final whistle.
That result means Sporting CP are undefeated in their last 5 games in all competitions and have lost only 2 of their last 14.
Form in the Champions League shows Sporting CP have won 3 of their last 4 fixtures, beating Besiktas home and away plus Borussia Dortmund at home, the latter of which was a great result.
Trends show Sporting CP are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 home Champions League games and have seen both team score in 4 of those 5 matches.
Manchester City make the trip to the Estádio José Alvalade on the back of a comfortable 4-0 win at Norwich City in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola rotated his starting XI but it did not make any difference and Manchester City were in control as soon as they opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
That result means Manchester City are undefeated in their last 12 games in all competitions.
You must go back to the 2-1 loss at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on the 7th of December to find the last time Manchester City lost a match. It is worth pointing out they had already secured their place in the knockout stages.
Form in the Champions League shows Manchester City have won 3 of their last 4 games.
They have won 11 of their last 14 Champions League fixtures, including 8 of their last 11 on the road. Both teams have scored in 4 of Manchester City’s 5 most recent away Champions League matches.
Team news and Sporting CP are expected to be without Pedro Gonçalves Pote due to a back injury and he will be a big miss for the hosts.
Manchester City are without full-back Kyle Walker who is suspended. Cole Palmer is injured and there are doubts over the fitness of Jack Grealish, Gabriel Jesus, and Zack Steffen.
There are not many teams on the planet who could beat Manchester City right now and Sporting CP are going to find it tough.
The Portuguese team may find the back of the net but the English Premier League champions should come away with the win ahead of the second leg.