Sporting CP and Galatasaray are both hungry for three points as they start their Champions League campaigns. The hosts have won all of their matches so far this term at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Suárez already shining for Sporting

Sporting were 2-0 winners against Nacional in the Portuguese top flight at the weekend, with Rui Borges fielding a very strong starting lineup. He’ll keep faith with those players again on Wednesday night.

Luis Suárez scored and assisted last time out, and he has now netted four times in his past three appearances. The Colombian will continue up top, with Flávio Gonçalves and Geny Catamo deployed on the flanks.

The home team have three confirmed injury absentees. João Simões, Nuno Santos and Ibrahima Ba will all miss this game.

Sporting CP predicted lineup vs Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Silva; Fresneda, Debast, Inácio, M. Araújo; Doumbia, Altimira; Catamo, Zalazar, Gonçalves; L. Suárez.

Galatasaray hit by Osimhen blow

There’s bad news for Galatasaray heading into their trip to Lisbon, with star striker Victor Osimhen sidelined. The Nigerian suffered a groin injury after scoring in the derby against Istanbul Başakşehir on Friday.

Mario Lemina, Wilfried Singo and Günay Güvenç are also unavailable for the visitors, who may use Barış Alper Yılmaz up front. The 26-year-old usually features out wide, but he’s a capable finisher, having netted eight times in 30 league appearances last term.

Rafael Leão, Deniz Gül and El Chadaille Bitshiabu all completed late moves to the Turkish giants at the end of the transfer window. However, none of those players will be ready to start.

Galatasaray predicted lineup vs Sporting CP (4-2-3-1): Çakır; Sallai, D. Sánchez, Bardakcı, Jakobs; Sara, Torreira; Akgün, Batrakov, Sané; Yılmaz.

Sporting CP vs Galatasaray Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Sporting CP to win or draw
  • Odds: 1.259 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Sporting CP 2-1 Galatasaray
  • 22Bet Booking Code: DPE9E

Key stats:

  • Sporting are on a four-game winning streak in the league.
  • The hosts have not lost any of their nine matches since the start of pre-season.
  • Galatasaray have only won three of their nine previous European fixtures against Portuguese clubs.

While Galatasaray did well to attract the likes of Leão this summer, more time will be needed for their new signings to settle. Osimhen will also be badly missed in this game. He netted seven times in 10 Champions League outings last term and is by far the most clinical player in the visiting squad.

Backing Sporting CP to avoid defeat is a safe pick. They’re the more settled team, and they’ve been impressive in recent weeks. Borges’ side have won 89% of their fixtures since returning for pre-season training.

Sporting CP vs Galatasaray Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Sporting CP to score over 1.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.7 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: TQ49E

Including friendlies, Sporting CP have netted twice or more in all nine of their fixtures this term. That makes them a value pick at odds of 1.7 to score over 1.5 goals in this match.

Galatasaray’s poor defensive record also supports that. They’ve conceded twice in three of their opening four Süper Lig outings.

Verdict: Sporting CP to win or draw (1.259) — Sporting CP 2-1 Galatasaray