UEL 2022-23: Sporting vs Juventus: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The second leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League are set to be underway.

The second leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League has an exciting match in store for us as Portuguese giants Sporting CP welcome Champions League aspirants Juventus to their own backyard.

A 1-0 loss away to Turin meant that Sporting CP have to do it all in order to turn the tie in their favour but the 4th placed team in Primeira Liga have had a tumultous season. Federico Gatti gave the Old Lady a much needed boost in the 73rd minute to deny the Portuguese club a clean sheet away from home.

Having lost the first leg in Turin, Sporting CP remain winless in three matches against Juventus in Europe (D1, L2). The Lisbon side last defeated Italian opponents back in September 2011, beating Lazio in UEFA Europa League. Ruben Amorim's side shocked Arsenal in the last 16 but they will need a much re-energised performance if they are to deny a tournament favourite yet again.

Juventus have found their way back in Serie A somehow after they were stripped off of 15 points due to financial misdemeanours. Although the side from Turin have lost back to back games in the Serie A they have won each of their last four in continental competition - all without conceding a goal. Sitting at 44 points and in 7th spot behind Atalanta domestically, Juventus will have to win this competition if they are to participate in Europe next season. However Juventus have lost their last two away matches against Portuguese opponents, both in the UEFA Champions League- against Porto in 2020-21 season and against Benfica earlier this season.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 20-04-2023, 07:00 PM (GMT)

Friday, 21-04-2023, 12:30 AM (IST)

Sporting CP Form (All Competitions): D-W-W-W-W

Juventus Form (All Competitions): D-L-W-D-W

Player to Watch Out

Sporting CP: Pedro Goncalves

Goncalves’s technical profile is driven by an intuitive and positive approach in the final third. Technically, he isn’t necessarily the best dribbler, passer or shooter; but is adept at using them to the fullest. His wonder strike against Arsenal shocked The Emirates and his knack for goal might turn to be a problem for Max Allegri's men.

Juventus: Angel Di Maria

The German plays best in the hole, in a team with a counter attacking style. Most of his take-on attempts are like much of his passing: daring, risky, difficult and yet potentially game-changing. The stand out performer for The Old Lady this season, he has scored 8 goals and has 7 assists in his name throughout all competitions.

Match Facts

Sporting CP have been eliminated from each of their last five major European knockout ties when losing the first leg, last progressing from such a position back in 2009-2010 against Everton in the UEFA Europa League Last 32.

Juventus last won five matches on the bounce in Europe while keeping a clean sheet on each of those occasions in March 2013 in the UEFA Champions League.

Injury and Team News

Sporting CP will have to bank on Trincao and the returning Marcus Edwards from injury to provide them the goods up front as they are still without their most prolific striker Paulinho up front. Daniel Braganca and Jovane Cabral are likely going to miss the second leg which makes the starting of Ousmane Diomande a possibility. Morita was clinical in his surges in the midfield last week in Turin and he might just be preferred over Manuel Ugarte who was suspended last week.

Juventus look much more promising and their injury concerns have also diminished as the season went on. Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa are back from minor injuries which is a massive boost to the squad in terms of personnel while the goalkeeper issue still remains a concern for Max Allegri. Wojciech Szczesny was substituted in the first leg with a chest pain which means that Matthias Perin will take his place. Alex Sandro is an option too after his Serie A suspension but it is very unlikely that Allegri will be breaking the partnership of Gatti, Bremer and Danilo in the back three.

Head-to-head Stats

Matches – 4

Sporting CP– 1

Draws – 1

Juventus– 2

Predicted Lineup

Sporting CP Predicted lineup (3-4-3): 

Adan; Inacio, Coates, Diomande; Esgaio, Goncalves, Morita, Reis; Edwards, Chermiti, Trincao

Juventus Predicted lineup (3-5-2): 

Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Vlahovic

Prediction for Sporting vs Juventus

Juventus have had the calibre in the recent years and an experienced set of players might prove to be more than enough for them to see them through this tie. Although Sporting will give it their all, we are predicting it to be a deadlock until the game opens up in the latter stages and both of them settle for a draw which will see Juventus through to the semi finals on aggregate.

Prediction: Sporting CP 1-1 Juventus.

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network, JioTV, Sony LIV App, and Airtel XStream.

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US –CBS Univision.

Nigeria – SuperSports