Sporting CP hold a comfortable lead as they welcome Young Boys to the Estadio Jose Alvalade for their Europa League playoff second leg. The Portuguese giants have been nigh unstoppable in recent times and could be set for another comfortable win on Thursday.
Sporting CP were in rampant mood in the first leg as they claimed a 3-0 victory in Switzerland. They were largely in trouble for much of the encounter with Viktor Gyokeres and Goncalo Inacio on target after Aurele Amenda’s unfortunate own-goal had opened the scoring.
The Portuguese giants have been near perfect in recent weeks, claiming 13 wins from their last 14 matches across all competitions. Ruben Amorim’s men followed up the win in Switzerland with a 2-0 victory over Moreirense in a Primeira Liga fixture last weekend.
Sporting CP have also been pretty ruthless at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, where they have won their last 12 matches across all competitions. There have been a number of one-sided results in that run including an 8-0 victory over Casa Pia and a 5-0 triumph over Sporting Braga in their previous home fixture.
Despite playing at home, Young Boys proved to be no match for Sporting CP in the first leg as they were outclassed in every department. They could only manage a consolation through Filip Ugrinic three minutes before the break.
Things have been a bit erratic for Young Boys in recent weeks having claimed three wins from their last six matches across all competitions. However, one of those wins came last weekend as they will travel to Portugal off the back of a 1-0 victory over Stade Laussane-Ouchy.
Young Boys have been just as inconsistent on their travels, with just two wins from their last seven away matches across all competitions. Raphael Wicky’s men have suffered four defeats in that run.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Sporting CP as overwhelming favourites with a home win priced at 4/11 with Betfred. An unlikely victory for Young Boys is valued at 15/2 by Coral while William Hill is offering odds of 9/2 for a draw.
Head to head
Last week’s clash was the first ever meeting between Sporting CP and Young Boys.
Players to watch
Viktor Gyokeres continues to prove his worth for Sporting CP and was on target in the first leg. The striker now has 10 goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions and is priced at 10/11 by Unibet to maintain his scoring run.
Sporting CP have also impressed at the back with clean sheets in five of their last six home matches. Goncalo Inacio has been a rock at the heart of the defence and can lead the Portuguese side to another clean sheet at 11/8 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Sporting CP have won to nil in five of their last six home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 8/5 with BetVictor. There have been a few one-sided results in that run, so a -1 handicap could be considered at 19/20 with Unibet.
The Portuguese side have won both halves in their last six home matches and a similar pattern is priced at 2/1 with William Hill.
This UEFA Europa League match between Sporting CP and Young Boys will be played on Feb 22, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Sporting CP vs Young Boys prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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