RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-21 17:45.
[p]Having lost all six of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase matches, RB Leipzig canāt progress to the knockouts and have only pride left to play for as they look to avoid finishing bottom of the table. Their struggles were evident domestically at the weekend too, as they went 3-0 up against Bochum in the Bundesliga on Saturday, only to draw 3-3, leaving manager Marco Rose questioning his teamās āprofessionalism and attitudeā.[/p]
[p]While the Red Bulls come into this clash with Sporting CP firmly on a downer, having also lost their last four UCL home fixtures, they have at least fared well against Portuguese sides in Europe here (W1, D1). This will be their first ever meeting with Sporting having already hosted the other two of Portugalās ābig threeā – Porto in 2017/18 (W 3-2) and Benfica in 2019/20 (D 2-2).[/p]
[p]It was unsurprising that Sportingās form dipped immediately after manager Ruben Amorim departed for Manchester United but they have since rediscovered their touch and sit just outside the top 16, well on target for the knockouts (W3, D1, L2). Sitting top of the Portuguese top-flight, they warmed up for their trip to Germany for Rui Borgesā first UCL game in charge by hammering Rio Ave 3-0 on Saturday.[/p]
[p]While their second-to-last UCL away win came in Germany, against Eintracht Frankfurt in September 2022, the Lions have otherwise not travelled well, drawing two and losing two of their five UCL away matches since (W1). Remarkably, that victory in Frankfurt remains their only ever European win in Germany (D1, L13)![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Christoph Baumgartner has scored in two of Leipzigās last three games and two of their six UCL fixtures this term – all four of those fixtures produced at least four goals. Viktor Gyƶkeres has netted in each of Sportingās last four games, with five of his six goals in that time arriving before the hour mark.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Leipzig scored first in three of their UCL games this term, subsequently losing them all. No side has ever done so four times in one UCL campaign.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]