Sporting CP vs Eintracht Frankfurt prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-31 20:00.
Matchday six is often winner-takes-all territory in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), with that especially true in Group D, where all four teams could qualify for the knockout stages if results go their way. Sporting CP saw their stranglehold on top spot snatched away in the previous round courtesy of a late Tottenham equaliser, and anything but a victory here places their progression hopes at risk.
Rúben Amorim’s men followed up the draw in North London with defeat against Arouca at the weekend, meaning the Lions have now won just one of their last five games in all competitions (D1, L3). The visit of Eintracht Frankfurt is hardly likely to restore confidence among the home fans either, as Sporting have won just four of their 29 meetings with German opposition (D6, L19), albeit one of those a 3-0 success in the reverse fixture.
The qualification equation is much clearer for Frankfurt, who will need to make history by winning back-to-back matches in UEFA’s premier competition for the first time since 1959/60 to advance to the knockout stages. Oliver Glasner’s men were also beaten at the weekend, as Jude Bellingham’s strike condemned the Eagles to a 1-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, preventing them from climbing into the Bundesliga’s top four.
That loss followed a run of four straight wins for Frankfurt, who kept their UCL hopes alive with a spirited victory over Marseille in the last round of fixtures. Playing the decider on the road could suit the Eagles, who have lost just two away games across all competitions so far this season (W6, D1). If that solid run is to continue, it will need to be paired with a rare win on Portuguese soil, something Frankfurt have managed just once in club history (D1, L1).
Players to watch: Sporting’s Marcus Edwards netted against former employers Tottenham last time out, and he has lost just one of eight goalscoring appearances since joining the club (W5, D2). Also on the scoresheet of late has been Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada, who has already netted an impressive 11 goals across all tournaments this season.
Hot streak: Sporting have now completed nine consecutive games across all competitions without a clean sheet.