Sporting – Manchester City : Preview & Prediction
Sporting CP, runner-up to FC Porto in the Portuguese league, inherited a big chunk in this round of 16 as they will face Premier League leaders Manchester City. The formation of Ruben Amorim, undefeated since January 22, can harbor enormous regrets during his trip to Porto on February 11. Leading 2 goals to 0, Sporting failed to keep the score and finally took only one point at the Stade du Dragon (2-2). The Portuguese came out of the pools in this Champions League having nevertheless had 3 defeats against Ajax Amsterdam (1-5 and 2-4) and on the lawn of Borussia Dortmund (1-0). Sporting CP finished in second place, just ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Manchester City, he has not lost for two months, and the Citizens are undefeated for 12 games, recording 11 wins and 1 draw. The Mancunian club, solid leader in the Premier League, has just obtained 3 successes in its last 3 performances against Fulham (4-1) in the 1/16th final of the FA Cup, against Brentford (2-0) and Norwich City (0-4) this weekend. England international Raheem Sterling is back in great shape, as was seen with his hat-trick scored on the Canaries turf this Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s team showed a good face during the group stage of this C1 by finishing first in their group ahead of PSG, however announced as favorites. The English ended on a failure during the last day in Leipzig (2-1), without consequence because already qualified. Before this second European setback, the Citizens had signed 3 victories in this European competition against Bruges (5-1 and 4-1) and ahead of PSG (2-1) at the Etihad Stadium. Unhappy finalist last season, Manchester City intends to go to the end of the test this season… This 1/8th final against the Portuguese club Sporting CP is very largely in the ropes of the foals of Pep Guardiola, who are determined and motivated during this final stretch.
The current form of the teams
Sporting: N-V-V-D-V
Manchester City: V-V-V-N-V
Second game of the evening, with a PSG-Real Madrid shock on the other side. This match in Lisbon is not uninteresting for all that, and we should be entitled to a very good meeting between two very playful teams, with a forward-looking game. Sporting arrives in a fairly average form, since it has just played two big games, and has not won any of them. A defeat against Benfica in the Portuguese League Cup final, then a draw at FC Porto this weekend, in an explosive match with many red cards. The English club, on the other hand, is taking place. The hitch (1-1) against Southampton was just a mistake, and Guardiola’s men continue to win. They have just qualified for the 5th round of the FA Cup, and remain on two good successes in the league (2-0 against Brentford then 0-4 at Norwich).
03/15/2012 – Manchester City 3-2 Sporting (Europa League)
08/03/2012 – Sporting 1-0 Manchester City (Europa League)
24/07/2010 – Sporting 2-0 Manchester City (Friendly match)
Manchester City have 11 wins and 1 draw in their last 12 meetings.
Sporting have 4 defeats in their last 7 Champions League games.
Manchester City have scored 11 successes in their last 14 C1 matches.
The Portuguese club fell heavily at home against Ajax (1-5) during the group stage.
Manchester City are ready to bring down Sporting on their soil to be on waivers before the return match in England.
Sporting – Manchester City : Betting Tips
OVER 3.5 GOALS Odds: 3.25
