Sporting CP will hope to close in on finishing in the UEFA Champions League top eight as they take on eliminated RB Leipzig.
RB Leipzig and Sporting CP face off at Red Bull Arena in a crucial Champions League encounter, with both teams looking to salvage pride and achieve their respective goals in this group phase. Leipzig, already eliminated with six defeats in six matches, aim to avoid finishing their campaign without a point. Sporting, on the other hand, need to recover from back-to-back losses and boost their playoff hopes with a positive result.
Leipzig’s form in Europe has been dismal, but their domestic struggles add to the pressure. Marco Rose’s men squandered a 3-0 lead to draw with Bundesliga bottom-dwellers Bochum over the weekend, marking yet another disappointing performance.
Despite a strong first half against Bochum, a second-half hat-trick by Myron Boadu saw Leipzig drop points, leaving them out of the Bundesliga top four. In the Champions League, Leipzig have yet to register a single point, and another defeat here would see them match Bayer Leverkusen’s unwanted record for consecutive UCL losses by a German club (seven in 2002-03).
While Leipzig’s European woes continue, they do have some history of faring well against Portuguese clubs, suffering just one defeat in four meetings – a loss to Porto in 2017. With Sturm Graz coming up on Matchday 8, Leipzig will view Sporting’s visit as a golden opportunity to break their losing streak and finally get off the mark in this season’s Champions League.
Sporting CP enter the game on the back of a mixed run of form. After starting their Champions League campaign strongly under Ruben Amorim, taking 10 points from 12, the Lions’ fortunes changed drastically following Amorim’s departure for Manchester United. Under Joao Pereira, Sporting suffered consecutive heavy defeats to Arsenal (5-1) and Club Brugge (4-1), leaving them in a precarious position in the group standings.
New manager Rui Borges has steadied the ship since his appointment, guiding Sporting to key league victories over Porto and Benfica. However, his tenure began with a disappointment in the Taca da Liga final, where they lost to Benfica. Borges’ side bounced back in the Primeira Liga, reclaiming their spot at the top of the table after a 3-0 victory over Rio Ave. In the Champions League, Sporting need just one point to secure a playoff spot, while two wins could give them a chance to break into the top eight.
The Lions will be buoyed by their recent domestic form, but they must replicate that consistency on the European stage. Their previous trip to Germany in the Champions League was a memorable one, as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0.
Sporting must channel that spirit to secure a crucial result against a Leipzig side desperate to end their European campaign with some semblance of pride. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
Die Roten Bullen will be missing several key players for this crucial UEFA Champions League clash. Xaver Schlager, Castello Lukeba, and Andre Silva are all sidelined with injuries and are not expected back until February. Meanwhile, Benjamin Henrichs is out for the rest of the season with a serious leg injury, leaving Leipzig short of options in defence.
Newly signed Ridle Baku has stepped into Henrichs’s role at right wing-back, starting the last two matches and impressing in the position. Yussuf Poulsen made his return to action at the weekend after a two-month absence, but he is likely to start on the bench, with Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda both available again after serving their suspensions.
Leipzig’s probable lineup will feature Peter Gulacsi in goal, with Lutsharel Geertruida, Willi Orban, and Lukas Klostermann forming a back three. Ridle Baku will occupy the right wing-back role, while David Raum takes up the left wing-back position.
In central midfield, Arthur Vermeeren and Nicolas Seiwald are expected to pair up, providing both defensive cover and creative passing options. In attack, Xavi Simons and Lois Openda will form the front three with Benjamin Sesko in a 3-4-3 formation.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Klostermann; Baku, Vermeeren, Seiwald, Raum; Simons, Openda, Sesko
Sporting CP
Sporting CP will be without Pedro Goncalves, a significant absence as the influential player did not participate in training ahead of this encounter. Defensively, the trio of Eduardo Quaresma, Nuno Santos, and Matheus Reis are also doubtful after missing training sessions, further weakening the backline options for coach Rui Borges.
On a positive note, Viktor Gyokeres is set to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench to score at the weekend, taking his tally to six goals in his last four games. Meanwhile, Sporting have strengthened their squad this month with the loan signing of goalkeeper Rui Silva from Real Betis, who has immediately displaced Franco Israel as the starting shot-stopper.
The probable lineup for Sporting CP is expected to be in a 4-3-3 formation. Rui Silva will start in goal, while Ivan Fresneda and Geovany Quenda are likely to occupy the full-back positions. In central defence, Ousmane Diomande and Jerry St. Juste will form the partnership.
The midfield trio is set to feature Geny Catamo, Hidemasa Morita, and Morten Hjulmand, providing a mix of defensive stability and creative flair. Up front, Francisco Trincao and Maxi Araujo will play on the wings, flanking Viktor Gyokeres, who will lead the line as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Rui Silva; Fresneda, Diomande, St Juste, Quenda; Catamo, Morita, Hjulmand; Trincao, Gyokeres, Araujo
Key Stats
- This will be the first-ever European meeting between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP. Leipzig’s four previous matches against Portuguese teams were in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss each against FC Porto (2017/18) and Benfica (2019/20).
- RB Leipzig’s prior four games against Portuguese opponents have produced a total of 16 goals, averaging four per game. Both teams scored in all four matches, with Leipzig netting eight goals and conceding the same number.
- Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Portuguese teams have won three of their four away matches against German sides in the UEFA Champions League. This includes Sporting CP’s 3-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Porto’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, and Braga’s 3-2 triumph over Union Berlin. These three wins match the total number of victories Portuguese sides managed in their first 33 away games against German teams in the competition.
- RB Leipzig have lost all six of their UEFA Champions League matches this season. The only German side with a longer losing streak in European Cup history is Bayer Leverkusen, who lost seven in a row during the 2002-03 campaign.
- Sporting CP were unbeaten in their first four UEFA Champions League games this season (three wins and one draw) but have lost their last two. They have not lost three consecutive matches in the competition within a single season since the 2016/17 campaign.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres continues to impress for Sporting CP with his remarkable blend of physicality, pace, and clinical finishing. The Swedish international has been a vital cog in Sporting’s attack this season, consistently delivering goals and assists to keep his team in contention for top honours. His ability to hold up the ball, bring teammates into play, and score from a variety of positions makes him one of the most exciting strikers in European football at the moment.
In his last four matches, the Swede has scored six goals, showcasing his red-hot form. His intelligence off the ball, coupled with his knack for being in the right place at the right time, will make him a significant threat to RB Leipzig’s defence. Against a struggling Leipzig backline that has conceded goals consistently in the Champions League, Gyokeres has the potential to be a game-changer.
This match also sets the stage for an intriguing subplot as the in-demand Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, two of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe, go head-to-head. The two forwards are reportedly on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s radar as potential solutions to the Gunners’ recent struggles in front of goal.
Gyokeres offers a more complete forward package, capable of creating chances and scoring with consistency, while Sesko’s aerial prowess and physical dominance make him an ideal target man for any team. Both strikers possess unique qualities that could significantly improve Arsenal’s attacking options, and their performances in this match might just tilt the balance in favour of one over the other in Arteta’s eyes.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 1-2 Sporting CP
This match pits a struggling Leipzig side against a resurgent Sporting team with much to play for. Leipzig’s inability to defend leads and their poor European record this season may leave them vulnerable, despite their quality in attack.
Sporting, under Rui Borges’s guidance, have shown improvement and should have enough to exploit Leipzig’s defensive frailties. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 2-1 win for the away side.