Article Match Reports

Sporting Lisbon v Chelsea – Preview & Your Predictions

By Billy -

Chelsea seek their first European win of the season as they face their first away game in the competition against Sporting Lisbon. 

Date: Tuesday, September 30th  Kick-off: 19:45 GMT  Venue: Estádio José Alvalade

Mourinho leads The Blues to his native Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in gameweek two of Group G in this season’s Champions League group phase.

Both sides drew their previous games in the group by the same 1-1 scoreline, as Chelsea hosted Schalke and Sporting traveled to Maribor.

Thanks to this, Group G is still wide open and all teams, particularly Chelsea, will be aiming to not only qualify, but to even finish top of the group after all games have been played.

Chelsea are coming into the game off the back of a comfortable 3-0 home win over Aston Villa on Saturday and remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

However, Mourinho may select his team with next Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in mind, despite his claims that he chooses all his starting linups with only the current game in mind.

Didier Drogba and Ramires both missed the trip to Portugal as the rest of the team departed on Monday afternoon, with Didier injured and Ramires presumably rested for this one.

Thibaut Courtois, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard are among names that can expect to be on the teamsheet come kick-off on Tuesday evening.

Oscar is also a likely candidate to start after his Man of the Match performance against Aston Villa over the weekend, to follow up on a goal against Bolton during the week.

During his pre-match presser, Mourinho revealed that Diego Costa would start the game despite an ongoing injury:

Diego Costa will start (tomorrow’s game) and hopefully he plays on Sunday against Arsenal.

This may come as a surprise to some, especially after Didier Drogba was opted for over the Spanish international for Chelsea’s disappointing home draw against Schalke last time out in the competition.

It may, however, be a suggestion that Diego Costa in overcoming the injury that, admittedly, hasn’t hindered his performances for Chelsea in the Premier League thus far.

If the Chelsea boss is mistaken and Diego Costa is deemed unfit to start, we can expect to see Loic Remy spearheading the Chelsea attack in his place as Chelsea go in search for a much-needed win.

The defence will likely remain unchanged after a sound performance against Villa’s pacey front line on Saturday, but Jose could opt for Filipe Luis if he feels a change is needed. The Brazilian played the Blues last European game against Schalke.

The importance of a win for Chelsea cannot be understated as they look to take the group by the scruff of the neck, and a draw in Group G’s other game to go along with a Chelsea win would certainly help in doing so.

Sporting Lisbon will surely look to set up in a compact way, despite being the home team, and hit Chelsea on the break when the chance to do so arises.

Chelsea’s defence, however, should be able to deal with the treat which Lisbon’s hindering front line poses while The Blues attack will need to take the chances that come their way, which they have done so well so far in their domestic campaign.

If all goes to plan, Chelsea will top the group and have a comfortable victory under their belts as they travel back to England on Tuesday evening.

Sporting Lisbon v Chelsea – Pre-match facts

  • John Terry could make his 100th Champions League appearance this week – the sixth English player to do so
  • Chelsea have never faced Sporting Lisbon in a competitive match
  • Sporting are unbeaten in 16 European home games ? 13 wins and three draws

Source: Opta/Soccer Base

Sporting Lisbon v Chelsea – Predicted lineup

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Diego Costa

Your Predictions:

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