Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting the defence of their Champions League crown back underway on Tuesday night, PSG will travel to Portugal when they meet Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting Lisbon
Starting with the hosts, while Sporting Lisbon might have suffered a real League Cup shock earlier in the month as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Guimaraes, Rui Borges’ men claimed an immediate response over the weekend. Putting in a routine performance at the Estadio Jose Alvalde as they cruised their way to a 3-0 victory against Casa Pia, the Portuguese giants have their sights set on clinching a Champions League knockout stage ticket this year. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender on Tuesday night, Sporting will be excited by their extended dominance in Lisbon. Signing off 2025 with a 4-0 romp against Rio Ave, Borges’ side have won all of their last nine consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to a 1-1 stalemate against Braga on October 5th.
Sporting Lisbon Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Sporting Lisbon will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Pedro Goncalves and former Benfica striker Nuno Santos here. However, serving their own one-match domestic suspensions over the weekend, Maximiliano Araujo and Danish international Morten Hjulmand will return to Borges’ squad.
Completing a permanent switch from West Ham last week, Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme looks set to make his Premier League debut on Tuesday night. Continuing to shine since arriving from Almeria last summer, the red-hot Luis Suarez will lead the line in Lisbon.
PSG
As for the visitors, making real history last season as they got their hands on a maiden Champions League crown, PSG gained a fearsome reputation from across the continent. Despite watching their Coupe de France adventure come to an infamous end last week as they fell to a 1-0 loss at home against bitter local rivals and Ligue 1 debutants Paris FC, it appears that was nothing more than a minor blip for the reigning European champions. Last seen on Friday night storming their way to a 3-0 romp against historic foes Lille, the former Barcelona boss have won six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Putting 13 points on the board from their six Champions League showdowns this season and marking their return sat in bronze medal position, PSG will be looking to make another European statement when they travel to Lisbon in midweek.
PSG Team News
Both still dealing with respective muscle injuries, PSG will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Kang-In Lee and Portuguese international Joao Neves. Featuring for Morocco in Sunday’s AFCON final, former Borussia Dortmund defender Achraf Hakimi is not expected to play any part in Lisbon.
Bagging a Ligue 1 brace against Lille over the weekend and now registering five goals in as many appearances across all competitions, reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele will play a leading role in the final third. Likewise, notching a first strike since the end of November on Friday night, Bradley Barcola could be handed a full recall.
Sporting Lisbon vs PSG Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown will be the first competitive meeting between Sporting Lisbon and PSG.
- The reigning European champions have registered 13 points from their six Champions League appearances so far this season.
- Lisbon have won all of their last nine consecutive showdowns at the Estadio Jose Alvalde across all competitions.
- Registering 19 Champions League strikes, no team in this season’s tournament have registered more European goals.
- Seven of Lisbon’s last eight appearances across all competitions have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Already wrapping up a knockout stage ticket with plenty of time to spare, PSG will be looking to make another European statement here. Bagging 19 Champions League goals this season and holding the best-attacking tally in this season’s tournament, we could be treated to an enjoyable contest on Tuesday night. However, meeting a Sporting Lisbon side who have won all of their last nine consecutive showdowns at the Estadio Jose Alvalde, the Portuguese giants are more than capable of asking some real questions in midweek.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
