We have reached the round of 16 in the Europa League and have an early game in the competition this week that should see goals.
The match between Sporting CP and Atalanta will take place on the 5th of March at the Estádio José Alvalade. The hosts are currently top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga while the visitors are in 6th place in the Italian Serie A.
Sporting CP come into the game on the back of a 3-2 home win over Farense in the Primeira Liga on the weekend.
A pasta 📂 do treino de hoje acabou de chegar!O que querem ver? 👀 Admin ao dispor 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jOIv1evmTQ— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) March 5, 2024
A pasta 📂 do treino de hoje acabou de chegar!O que querem ver? 👀 Admin ao dispor 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jOIv1evmTQ
Sporting CP were 2-0 up after 29 minutes but Farense pulled a goal back before half time. Into the second half and Farense equalised in the 50th minute but Sporting CP scored the winner 3 minutes later.
The win over Farense means Sporting CP are undefeated in each of their 9 most recent fixtures in all competitions.
There have been wins over Casa Pia and Sporting Braga at home plus Moreirense away in the Primeira Liga, Young Boys away in the Europa League, and União de Leiria away plus Benfica at home in the Taca de Portugal.
In terms of the Europa League, trends show Sporting CP are undefeated in their last 6 matches. They are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 home Europa League games but have won only 2 of their last 8 Europa League fixtures on home soil.
Both teams have scored in 7 of Sporting CP’s last 8 home Europa League matches.
Atalanta travel to the Estádio José Alvalade having lost 2-1 at home against Bologna in Serie A on the weekend.
It was a disappointing result for Atalanta in the battle for the top four, especially as they led 1-0 at the interval. Things changed in the second half and Bologna equalised in the 57th minute, scoring the winning just 4 minutes later.
The defeat to Bologna means Atalanta have failed to win any of their 3 most recent fixtures. There was a 1-1 draw at AC Milan plus a 4-0 defeat at Inter Milan, both in Serie A.
Analysis shows Atalanta have been tough to beat in the Europa League and they are undefeated in 11 of their 12 most recent games in the competition.
Their away record shows no defeats in their last 6 matches and Atalanta have seen both teams score in 3 of their last 4 Europa League games on the road.
Team news and Sporting CP are without injured goalkeeper Antonio Adan and they have doubts over the fitness of Goncalo Inacio.
Atalanta make the trip to Portugal without Jose Palomino but he is the only player currently in the treatment room for the visitors.
Predictive analysis suggests we should see both teams score in this game. The recent away form of Atalanta means it could be the Italians who come away with a narrow victory, giving them the advantage ahead of the second leg.