One of the most delicately poised Champions League playoff ties sees Sporting Lisbon of Portugal head to Romania to play Steaua Bucharest. The first leg finished 0-0 in Portugal and there is all to play for in this match, especially as Steaua Bucharest were expected to lose the first leg in Lisbon last week.
Champions League National Arena, Bucharest, Romania– Wednesday 23rd August / 19:45
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Draw Best Odd of: 9/4 at Coral |
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Steaua Bucharest
Sporting LisbonIf you were to guess which of the two teams has the better history in the European Cup and Champions League you would be forgiven for thinking it was the Portuguese. However, Sporting Lisbon have never won Europe’s premier club competition whereas Steaua Bucharest won it in 1985/86.
The Romanian’s also reached the final in 1988/89 and it would be a fantastic achievement for them to get in the group stages this season.
Steaua Bucharest Form
The 0-0 in Portugal last week was a great result for Steaua Bucharest and keeps them very much in this tie. Sporting Lisbon had the better chances as you would expect considering they were the home team but Steaua Bucharest did well to come away with a draw. The only thing that was missing was the away goal and that could prove costly.
Steaua Bucharest have played 10 competitive games this season and are yet to taste defeat. There have been 5 wins and 5 draws in the Romanian league and Champions League. However, Steaua Bucharest have won just 1 match at home this season and have drawn the last 4 at home 1-1, a result which would see them eliminated from the tournament.
Sporting Lisbon Form
Sporting Lisbon followed up their 0-0 draw with Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of this tie by demolishing Vitoria Guimaraes 5-0 away from home in the Portuguese league. It was the perfect response to failing to score last week and will give them the confidence they score goals in Romania.
Sporting Lisbon have played 4 competitive games this season, winning 3 in the Portuguese league and drawing in the Champions League.
They sit joint top in the Portuguese league with Benfica and Porto and the most impressive aspect of their play so far this season has been their defence. Sporting Lisbon have yet to concede a goal this campaign.
Team News
Steaua Bucharest will be without defensive midfielder Mihai Pintilii for this game, having been sent off last week. Otherwise, they are expected to be unchanged from the first leg. Sporting Lisbon will be missing holding midfielder William Carvalho due to injury but that’s their only major concern ahead of this match.
Top Betting Tips
Given the record of Sporting Lisbon defensively this season, they will be hoping to keep another clean sheet in this game. Both teams to score – no is on offer at 8/11 with William Hill.
Sporting Lisbon know a single away goal could be enough to see them through and they prepared well in terms of goals on the weekend. With their defensive record and the result from the first leg, one goal could be enough and Sporting Lisbon to win 1-0 is 11/2 with Ladbrokes.
Sporting Lisbon striker Bas Dost has scored 3 goals in as many games and can be backed at 11/4 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring in this match.