A clash against one of the weakest teams in the Champions League is exactly what Sporting need to secure their place among the top teams in the table.
Most of us are used to RB Leipzig's presence and often expect them to win against significantly more successful and experienced teams. The team has been a definite part of the Top 4 in the Bundesliga for quite a few seasons in a row, and even with their worse performance this year, they still have a chance to finish among the best.
But not in the Champions League. RB Leipzig have lost all six of their games so far, and they are one of only four teams that haven’t even reached a draw yet. The only positive is that there are teams with much worse defences, and RB “only” concede an average of two goals per game.
We all remember the famous 4-1 against Manchester City right before Sporting's Ruben Amorim moved to Manchester United. Up until that point, the team looked like one of the favourites for the Top 8 in the CL and had not lost a game. However, after the coaching change, Sporting lost their two remaining games, including against Club Brugge.
It cannot be said that Sporting play bad football under Rui Borges, but their level and efficiency in attack dropped after the change. And now the three points are an absolute must for the visitors. The good thing is that RB Leipzig have nothing to play for but their honour.
How the bookies view it: Odds are almost equal but their chances aren't
Bookmakers don't think that the chances of the two teams are that different. Currently, RB Leipzig are available at 9/5, while the visitors from Lisbon have 27/20. That makes them slight favourites, but the differences are not big. People who love betting on draws can pick this option at 13/5.
Recent head-to-head: A first for both sides
Although they have been in the same tournaments quite often in recent years, these teams have never played in an official match. Their first meeting will be in Germany and unfortunately, there will be no rematch due to the new Champions League format.
Players to watch: The new big name in European football
Where would Sporting be if Viktor Gyokeres wasn't in the team this season? Unfortunately, it's quite likely that their fans will experience life without him soon because the Swede is likely to switch teams in the summer. But for the moment, there simply isn't another player on this team worth the bet. And at the same time, there's hardly a player in Europe right now that justifies the trust everyone has in him to such an extent.
Gyokeres has scored 33 goals so far in just 30 games for the team, which is the best achievement among players in Europe's top leagues. Especially in the Champions League, he has five goals in six games to his name, and he will definitely give his best in the presence of an opponent with a weak defence.
Probable line-ups
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Orban, Klostermann, Geertruida, Raum, Haidara, Vermeeren, Baku, Sesko, Simons, Openda
Sporting CP: Silva, Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio, Reis, Catamo, Morita, Hjulmand, Quenda, Trincao, Gyokeres
Anything else catch the eye?
Sporting definitely had comparative problems on the road in December, with the team failing to win any of their away games. The bad form continued at the beginning of this year until the last round and the match against Rio Ave.
It will not be easy at all for them against RB Leipzig, who are quite strong hosts in the Bundesliga. However, considering they lost six out of six games in the CL we doubt their ability. There's no reason to risk their best players in unnecessary games and we think Sporting have a pretty good opportunity to win. Let's also not forget how much value there is in the odds.
This UEFA Champions League match between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP will be played on Jan 22, 2025 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
