Sporting CP vs Istanbul Basaksehir
Europa League
Date: Thursday, 20 February 2020
Kick-off at 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade (Lisbon).
Sporting Lisbon V Istanbul Basaksehir Match Preview
Portuguese giants Sporting CP of Lisbon host Turkey Istanbul Basaksehir upstarts on 32 kick-off round of the Europa League evening. The first leg in the Portuguese capital will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides.
Sporting have won seven of the last nine of their Europa League game at home and will look to give their fans more to cheer here, has come out on top at home in all three group stage matches. Meanwhile, this is a new challenge for visitors - the first ever European game knockout them.
Domestically, Sporting are battling it out for third place and qualifying for this competition again next year, currently fourth and 17 points ahead of title challenger Porto in the second. Istanbul Basaksehir came agonizingly close to the Turkish title last season, eventually finishing second, and they challenged again this year - 2, one point of leaders Trabzonspor surprise.
Team News
Sporting CP
Silas could opt for a more defensive 5-4-1 formation to maintain Basaksehir Istanbul's firepower. Seba Coates, who was sent off against Rio Ave, but it will only serve the suspension in the Primeira Liga, and Tiago Luís Neto Illori must feature at the heart of defense as Jeremy Mathieu remain unharmed.
Luiz Phellype and Renan Ribeiro will lose for the same reason, although the latter is stopped regardless.
Jovane Cabral netted the equalizer against Rio Ave and will be pushing for a start here.
Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): Luis Maximiano; Ristovski, Coates, Neto, Borja; Doumbia; Rafael Camacho, Acuna, Wendel, Vietto; Sporar
Not available: Renan Ribeiro (Suspended), Chico Geraldes (Hurt), Luiz Phellype (Hurt), Mathieu (Injured)
Doubtful: Acuna (Injured)
Istanbul Basaksehir
Mehmet Topal is the only Basaksehir injury worries ahead of their trip to Portugal.
Gunok was a standout player last time out and will be full of confidence here.
Demba Ba and Crivelli should start ahead after enjoying some great performances lately
Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Gunok; Junior Caicara, Skrtel, Epureanu, Clichy; Visca, Kahveci, Tekdemir, Elijah; Crivelli, Ba
Not available: Topal (Suspended)
doubtful:
Sporting CP vs Istanbul Basaksehir Predictions
First and foremost, the Primeira Liga is far better competition and tougher than the Super Lig. Chances are, Sporting should be an early advantage in the case, and to increase their chances even further, they have the home advantage as well.
It should be noted that, Sporting won eight of their last ten home fixtures, and two expected losses came against Benfica and Porto. On the other hand, has not recorded a victory Basaksehir single official home away from home in 2020, and it was nearing the march.
Given these observations, it was decided that Sporting is expected to give a tough fight to win this Thursday.
Be that as it may, Basaksehir have scored in 30 of the last 36 match-ups, and the 11 former 14 road trip them too. They have also become one of the best teams in Turkey this season, and this time, left with only one point behind toppers. Do also note that the Istanbul outfit had been outscored only by the leaders of the table, Trabzonspor.
Finally, Sporting have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven of their eight former overall match-up, and in 14 of their last 18 home appearances. Taking all this information into account, it is estimated that the goal will be scored by both teams match-day.
Sporting CP vs Istanbul Basaksehir Betting Tips
CP Sports to Win @ 1.80 (4/5)
Both Teams Score @ 1.90 (9/10).
