Sporting CP will look to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League playoffs as they host already eliminated Bologna. Sporting have done some of their best work at home this season and should have the edge over the Italians who have struggled in this competition.
The hosts come into this clash in desperate need of a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. They have lost their last three matches in the competition and were beaten 2-1 by RB Leipzig in their previous fixture.
The good news is that Wednesday’s clash is at the Estadio Jose Alvalade where Sporting CP often do their best work. A 4-1 victory over Manchester City is among their home results in the Champions League while they also claimed a 2-0 victory over Nacional in the Primeira Liga.
Bologna have been eliminated from the Champions League after leaving it till matchday seven to secure their first win of the competition. They beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 last time out with Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior getting the goals.
With nothing at stake for Bologna, they are likely to be fearless and open on Wednesday. Valentin Italiano’s men are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions but were held 1-1 at Empoli in a Serie A fixture.
How the bookies view it: Bookies fancy Sporting
Sporting CP have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 4/11 by BoyleSports. A victory for Bologna is valued at 13/2 while a draw is set at 7/2.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Sporting CP and Bologna.
Players to watch: Gyokeres still hot
Viktor Gyokeres continues to deliver for Sporting CP and has scored seven times in the last six matches in all competitions. The striker has six Champions League goals and is priced at 4/6 by BoyleSports to get on the score sheet.
Bologna can capitalize on Sporting’s shaky defence and will look to Santiago Castro to provide quality going forward. The attacker has two goals in the last four matches in all competitions and is valued at 4/1 by BoyleSports to find the net on Wednesday.
Probable line-ups
Gyokeres is expected to lead the line once again for Sporting CP with Trincao and Geovany Quenda providing support. Morten Hjulmand is set to continue in midfield with Goncalo Inacio taking his place in defence.
Riccardo Orsolini is ruled out with injury and is expected to miss Wednesday’s clash. Castro was a second half substitute at Empoli and could be handed a start while Jhon Lucumi is set to continue at the back.
Sporting CP: Rui Silva, Araujo, Inacio, Diomande, Fresneda, Morita, Hjulmand, Trincao, Braganca, Quenda, Gyokeres
Bologna: Skorupski, Holm, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Freuler, Moro, Dominguez, Odgaard, Ndoye, Castro
Anything else catch the eye?
There is quality in both attacks and they can be backed to score at 3/4 with BoyleSports. Bologna have seen over 2.5 goals in their last five matches in all competitions and a repeat is priced at 8/13 with BoyleSports who are also offering odds of 8/5 for over 3.5 goals.
Sporting CP are expected to come out on top but concede, so a win and both teams to score can be considered at 2/1.
This UEFA Champions League match between Sporting CP and Bologna will be played on Jan 29, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Sporting CP vs Bologna prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
