On Thursday night, Sporting CP and Juventus clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Europa League quarter-final second leg. The first leg ended 1-0 for the team from Turin.
Sporting CP form guideThe club from the Portuguese top flight are not in great form, as a 1-1 draw against Arouca last time out means that Sporting has won just one of their last four competitive outings. However, the first-leg defeat is their only loss in 13 matches in all competitions.
The home side has a highly inconsistent recent record in the Europa League, as they have won just three of their previous seven games in the competition.
Sporting’s recent away record in this competition is poor, as they have just one victory in their last five outings in the Europa League.
Juventus form guideSimilar to their hosts, Juventus’ recent form has not been great, as a 1-0 defeat by Sassuolo means that the Bianconeri has won just one of their last four competitive games. The match followed a familiar low-scoring trend, as six of their previous seven games have produced under 2.5 goals.
Despite their recent underwhelming form, Juventus have a solid recent record in the Europa League. The Old Lady are now unbeaten in six games in the competition, having recorded four wins and two draws.
Juventus have won their last four European games. The visitors have built their recent good form on a solid defensive record, as they have kept clean sheets in all those four unbeaten games.
The team from Turin have been strong on their travels in the Europa League, winning five of their last six matches. Juventus have also been solid in defence on their travels, keeping clean sheets in five of their previous six away games in Europe.
Latest team newsSporting CP looks set to be without Daniel Braganca, Paulinho and Jovane Cabral through injuries. Winger Marcus Edwards and defender Jeremiah St. Juste are also fitness doubts. Meanwhile, Brazilian striker Kaio Jorge is out through injury, while Moise Kean and Mattia De Sciglio are doubts.
What am I backing?This could be a close and low-scoring encounter. Therefore, I am backing this game to produce under 2.5 goals.
