Sporting Lisbon vs PSG: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
Champions League action resumes as Sporting Lisbon faces Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadio José Alvalade. This match, taking place on a Tuesday night, is significant as it marks the first encounter between these teams in UEFA history. Currently, Sporting Lisbon sits in 14th place in a 36-team table, trailing PSG, who occupies third, by three points.
Match Preview
Sporting Lisbon enters this match after a challenging 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their last Champions League outing. Despite taking an early lead with an own goal from Joshua Kimmich, they experienced a 12-minute collapse, conceding three goals. This loss adds to their struggles in the league stage after two defeats so far. However, playing at home offers a glimmer of hope, as they have won all three of their Champions League matches at the Estadio José Alvalade this season, defeating teams like Marseille and Club Brugge.
Sporting Lisbon’s Form
- Home victories in the Champions League this season:
- Kairat Almaty
- Marseille
- Club Brugge
- Recent league performance: A convincing 3-0 win against Casa Pia.
- Current home record: Nine-game unbeaten run, including seven wins against French teams in the past nine matches.
Sporting has achieved significant success at home, boasting a win against Marseille on matchday three as part of their nine-game winning streak. With momentum on their side, they aim for a fourth consecutive home win in the competition.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Current Situation
Paris Saint-Germain stands second in Ligue 1, just two points behind Lens. Despite a recent 3-0 victory over Lille, they are still grappling with the aftermath of a Coupe de France exit. This defeat remains their only loss in a series of nine games that included triumphs in both the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the French Super Cup. They are coming off a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao in their last Champions League match, where they dominated possession.
Key Players and Team News
Sporting Lisbon will be missing several crucial players, including:
- Pedro Goncalves
- Nuno Santos
- Ousmane Diomande
- Geovany Quenda
- Fotis Ioannidis
They will also be without captain Morten Hjulmand due to suspension. Meanwhile, Maximiliano Araujo is on the verge of receiving a suspension. Recent performances from Daniel Braganca and Geny Catamo could provide a boost.
For PSG, the squad has notable absentees due to injuries:
- Kang-In Lee
- Matvey Safonov
- Joao Neves
- Quentin Ndjantou
Lucas Hernandez is suspended for a second consecutive match after being sent off in the last encounter against Tottenham Hotspur. Strengthening their ranks, Nuno Mendes seeks to shine against his former team.
Predicted Lineups
| Sporting Lisbon | Paris Saint-Germain |
|---|---|
| Silva | Chevalier |
| Araujo | Mendes |
| Inacio | Marquinhos |
| Reis | Pacho |
| Fresneda | Araujo |
| Morita | Zaire-Emery |
| Simoes | Ruiz |
| Guilherme | Vitinha |
| Trincao | Kvaratskhelia |
| Catamo | Dembele |
| Suarez | Doue |
Final Prediction
This match is pivotal, as a victory for Sporting Lisbon would enhance their chances of moving into the top eight. Conversely, a win for Paris Saint-Germain would bring them closer to knockout stage qualification. We anticipate a closely contested match, with PSG likely to secure a narrow victory, highlighting their status as the defending champions.
