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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Will Sporting Clube de Portugal enjoy an extended run in this season’s Europa League?
Rúben Amorim’s team started the Champions League group stages on fire, recording back-to-back wins against Frankfurt and then Spurs.
However, the Leões failed to win any of their four subsequent matches, with a matchday six home defeat at the hands of Frankfurt condemning them to third.
Sporting haven’t won a knockout phase tie in any UEFA competition since 2017, advancing through just two of their last ten, these wins coming against Astana and Viktoria Plzeň, both six years ago.
Nevertheless, the Primeira Liga team are favourites to get through this one, looking to make home advantage count here.
As for Midtjylland, their Europa League group was historic for the fact that all four clubs ended up on eight points.
The Wolves’ two wins both came at home, hammering Lazio 5-1, before a crucial 2-0 win over Sturm Graz on the final matchday.
Midtjylland have never won a knockout phase tie, eliminated by Manchester United in 2017 and PAOK 12 months ago.
Given that Albert Capellas’ side are seventh in the Danish Superligaen, they don’t look well placed to change that.
Will Sporting establish a healthy first leg lead at Estádio José Alvalade?
Sporting CP team news
English winger Marcus Edwards caught the eye during the group phase, scoring against both Frankfurt and former club Tottenham, netting ten times in total this term.
Their top scorer though is Pedro Gonçalves; he was sent off in a 4-1 defeat at Marseille, on a night goalkeeper Antonio Adán was also given his marching order.
Right-back Héctor Bellerín made his Sporting debut in Sunday night’s 2-1 defeat to Porto, so will keep his place here.
Midtjylland team news
The visitors haven’t been in competitive action since 13 November, with the Superligaen returning from the winter break this week.
Captain and talismanic centre-back Erik Sviatchenko will miss this first leg due to yellow card acclimation.
Emiliano Martínez (not that one) and Emam Ashour could both make their debuts in midfield, after arriving from RB Bragantino and Zamalek respectively in January.
Sporting CP vs Midtjylland: Head to head statistics
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