Sporting CP and Lille will do battle as the Champions League gets under way this week.
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Sporting CP vs Lille odds
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Sporting CP vs Lille predictions
Ruben Amorim is now in his fifth full season as Sporting CP manager, but there was a real risk over the summer that he would be seeking pastures new.
Liverpool were strongly linked with a swoop for Amorim after Jurgen Klopp announced he would depart at the end of 2023/24.
Bayern Munich was also seen as a potential destination for the Portuguese, although the fact he does not speak German ultimately counted against him.
Not that Sporting fans are complaining. Amorim has done a fantastic job since his appointment in 2020.
Last season’s title triumph means the club from the capital have now finished atop the table twice under their current boss, while Amorim has also lifted the Portuguese League Cup on two occasions.
The next goal for Sporting is to make progress in Europe. They reached the round of 16 of the Champions League in 2021/22, before being dumped out by Manchester City.
The following year saw the Portuguese outfit advance to the last eight of the Europa League, while last season they were eliminated from that tournament in the last 16, albeit at the hands of eventual winners Atalanta.
The realistic objective for Sporting this time around is to finish between ninth and 24th in the league phase of the new-look competition. That would see them advance to the knockout stage play-offs, where eight berths in the round of 16 are up for grabs (the other half are filled by those that finish in the top eight of the league phase).
Lille share the same goal. They finished fourth in Ligue 1 last term, but Paulo Fonseca left for AC Milan over the summer. He has been replaced in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy dugout by Bruno Genesio, who has won two and lost two of his first four league games at the helm.
Lille came through the Champions League qualifying rounds, overcoming Fenerbahce and Slavia Prague. With games against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus on the horizon, the French team could do with getting something from Tuesday’s trip to Lisbon. But that will not be straightforward, as we will explore below.
Sporting CP vs Lille betting tips
Can Sporting CP or Lille get off to a winning start as the Champions League begins?
Sporting CP to win – 4/6 (Paddy Power)
Sporting CP have come racing out of the blocks at the beginning of the campaign.
Amorim’s men have won each of their first five games in the Primeira Liga by an aggregate score of 19-2. They will be full of confidence heading into their first Champions League encounter of 2024/25.
Sporting will be determined to prove that they can carry their domestic dominance into continental competition, starting with the visit of Lille.
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Their next two Champions League games are away, before Manchester City and Arsenal visit the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
That is why it is vital that Sporting get off to a triumphant start on Tuesday. With Lille still finding their feet under Genesio, the hosts should prove too strong.
⚽ Tip Sporting CP to win at 4/6 with Paddy Power ⚽
Sporting CP to score in both halves – 6/4 (Paddy Power)
Sporting CP have been firing on all cylinders in forward areas so far this season.
If we include the Portuguese Super Cup against Porto, they have scored an average of 3.67 goals per game up to now. In the league they have found the net in nine of the 10 halves of football they have played.
Lille, who lost 1-0 to Saint-Etienne at the weekend, will have to be at their very best to keep Sporting’s frontline quiet.
Amorim will encourage his team to make a fast start on Tuesday in a bid to feed off the positive energy of the home crowd.
If Sporting can get their noses in front early on, they will back themselves to also make the net bulge after half-time.
⚽ Pick Sporting CP to score in both halves at 6/4 with Paddy Power ⚽
Viktor Gyokeres to score any time – 10/11 (Paddy Power)
What a journey Viktor Gyokeres has been on over the last few years. Less than 18 months ago, the striker was playing for Coventry City in the Championship.
His exploits for the Sky Blues earned him a transfer to Sporting, where he has been a revelation since the start of last season.
The Sweden international struck 43 goals in 50 matches across all competitions in his debut campaign in Lisbon.
And he has been even more prolific at the beginning of 2024/25, beating opposition goalkeepers eight times in his first five league appearances.
Gyokores is at the top of his game right now and Lille will struggle to keep him under wraps on matchday one of the Champions League.
⚽ Select Viktor Gyokeres to score any time at 10/11 with Paddy Power ⚽
📺 How to watch Sporting CP vs Lille
- Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Date and time: Tuesday 17th September, 8pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 4.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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