WLB debutant Tom Winch (@WinchySFP) takes a look at Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 first leg between Sporting and Manchester City, picking out his favourite fancy.
Sporting vs Manchester City | Tuesday 15th February, 20:00 | BT Sport
Manchester City travel to the western coast of Portugal as they visit Sporting in the capital on Tuesday night. It’s the first time the Citizens have returned to the country since last season's final defeat to fellow Premier League side Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s men enter the knockout stages as competition favourites, and with the squad now having greater experience in the latter rounds; could this finally be the year City add the most prestigious club tournament trophy to their accolade?
Sporting haven’t reached the knockouts since the 2008/09 season so won’t want to move aside against their opponents in any rush.
Rúben Amorim guided his side to the last-16 on goal difference after accumulating nine points. The hosts scored eight times in just three group stage matches at the Estádio José Alvalade, winning twice and they’ve found the back of the net in all games at the 50,095 seater stadium this season which should give them a great boost against the current Premier League leaders.
Looking into this clash you’d have to expect to see some goals, and not only from the away side, but also the hosts too. Manchester City conceded in every game in the group stages and were beaten by both PSG and RB Leipzig on the road despite topping Group A. Sporting conceded 12 goals in the group stages, which is more than any other side still currently left in the competition.
The current Portuguese champions will be without Pedro Goncalves due to injury, the 23-year-old had registered four goals and two assists in the four group stage games he participated in. Paulinho and former PSG man Pablo Sarabia scored five goals between them in the group stage and have both been in good goal scoring form in recent weeks. The Spaniard has found the back of the net in four of his last five appearances in all competitions whilst Paulinho has netted six in his last seven league outings.
Previous Champions League finalists City will have the majority of their squad available for the opening leg with Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish the key noticeable names to be absent with forward Gabriel Jesus a doubt. Pep’s men have played 13 games away in the Premier League and have conceded in seven of those, 12 of those 13 games has seen them find the back of the net except from the opening day defeat at Spurs.
City bagged five in Belgium when they made light work of Club Brugge, Riyad Mahrez scored in Germany in round SIX against Leipzig but they failed to register a goal in France’s capital against PSG despite having triple the amount of attempts at goal.
Given Man City’s attacking prowess you’d expect them to find the back of the net in Lisbon against a leaky Sporting side but it won’t be a walk in the park for the Englishmen. I fancy the home side to give it a good go in-front of the home fans and register a goal for themselves to continue a season long theme.
Both Teams To Score (21/20 William Hill) at the Estádio José Alvalade is available at odds against in some places which is a favourable bet for myself.
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Sporting vs Manchester City – Both Teams To Score (21/20 William Hill)
