Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham Hotspur clash in Portugal tomorrow night with both hoping to continue a perfect start to this year’s Champions League campaign. Sporting easily accounted for reigning Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany last week while Spurs took care of ten-man Marseille 2-0 at home in London. The top spot and control of Group D are up for grabs in this match.
An interesting subplot here is Marcus Edwards. The 23-year-old Englishman plays for Sporting and became the first English international to score for a Portuguese club in the Champions League last week. The English club he arrived from? None other than Tottenham Hotspur.
After marking their return to the Champions League with aplomb last week, Spurs will look to keep their undefeated start to the season intact.
Tottenham at Sporting Lisbon
Champions League Group Stage FYIs
Kick Off: Tuesday, Sep 13, 2022 at 8pm UK at Estádio José Alvalade
Competition: Group D, Match Day 2 of 6
Tottenham Team News: go here
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Google Result Probability: Tottenham 48% Sporting Lisbon 26% Draw 26%
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Starting XI Prediction
Given the week’s break between Spurs fixtures, and because of their big clash with City being postponed due to the Queen’s passing away, I expect no changes. So we will make this quick as we run through how I think Tottenham will line up.
Hugo Lloris starts in goals. The Frenchman has been nothing short of excellent so far this season.
Ahead of him, in the famous Conte three-man defense, will stand Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet and Cristian Romero. These three have a burgeoning reputation as one of the meanest defenses in world football. At wing-back, Emerson Royal starts on the right, with veteran Ivan Perisic beginning on the left.
In midfield, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur will start. The duo have barely put a foot wrong since the Uruguayans’ transfer at the beginning of this calendar year.
In attack, Richarlison keeps his spot on the right after his brace last time out. On the left, Korean superstar Heung Min-Son has another chance to kick start his stuttering form this season. Harry Kane plays the Harry Kane role through the middle.
Match Prediction
Spurs will win this match. Take it to the bank. Sporting Lisbon is good, but Tottenham Hotspur are one of the elite sides in this year’s competition. This match is the perfect chance for Heung min-son to find some form. And if he does that, it could get messy for the home side.
Tottenham 4-0
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He also co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.