The Matchday 8 fixture of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Sporting (Portugal) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on January 29 at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. Sporting vs. Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sporting
In the previous round, Rui Borges's side suffered a 1-2 away defeat to Leipzig. As a result, Sporting recorded their third consecutive loss in the Champions League. However, the team extended their scoring streak in this European competition to nine matches. In the standings, the Portuguese have ten points and are in 23rd place. Note that a win will guarantee the club a spot in the playoffs.
Defender Eduardo Quaresma, midfielder Pedro Gonçalves, and forwards Marcus Edwards and Nuno Santos will miss the game due to injuries.
- At least three goals were scored in 8 of the last 11 home matches in this European competition.
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 8 Champions League matches involving the Portuguese side.
Bologna
In the previous round, Vincenzo Italiano's side secured a comeback victory against Borussia Dortmund (2-1). As a result, Bologna claimed their first win in the current Champions League campaign. Furthermore, the team had never scored more than one goal in this tournament before. However, with only five points, the Italians cannot hope for a playoff spot – the club will not climb higher than 25th in the standings.
Forward Riccardo Orsolini will miss the game due to injury. Midfielder Remo Freuler is suspended.
- The team has not lost by more than one goal in regular time in 5 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 5 of the last 7 European matches for the club.
- The Italians have not scored more than one goal in regular time in 6 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineups for Sporting vs. Bologna
Sporting (4-4-2): Franco Israel – Maximiliano Araujo, Ivan Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inacio – Jeovani Keneda, Zeno Debast, Morten Hjulmand, Jeny Catamo – Konrad Harder, Francisco Trincão.
Bologna (4-3-3): Federico Ravaglia – Juan Miranda, Sam Beukema, Nicolò Casale, Emil Holm – Nikola Moro, Lewis Ferguson, Giovanni Fabbian – Dan Ndoye, Santiago Castro, Samuel Iling-Junior.
Referee: Benoit Bastien (France)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 22;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 43%.
Sporting vs. Bologna: Match Prediction
Recently, Lisbon has not been playing with the confidence they had before Ruben Amorim left as head coach. In the last three Champions League matches, Sporting lost, including a heavy home defeat to Arsenal (1-5), and fell short against Club Brugge and even Leipzig, who had not earned any points before. Notably, in their last 14 matches across all competitions, the Portuguese have only won twice by more than one goal.
Bologna has found their debut season in the top European competition challenging, but they have fought for points in every match until the end. In seven group stage matches, Vincenzo Italiano's team only lost twice by more than one goal, one of which was an away game against Liverpool (0-2). Additionally, in their last 12 matches across all competitions, the team has suffered only one defeat, losing to Verona in Serie A (2-3).
I expect strong resistance from the visitors in this matchup. My prediction: Bologna with a handicap (+1.5)
