Will Sporting get their first points in the UEFA Champions League?

Two games, two defeats – neither Besiktas nor Sporting Lisbon have had a satisfactory start to the 2021/22 Champions League so far. The last group game in the first round is therefore all the more important and groundbreaking, especially as success can reduce the gap to one of the two starting places for the round of 16.

Among other things, the assessment will be justified by the continuing personnel problems of the hosts from Istanbul. More than half of all regular players have been forced to take a break due to injury in recent weeks.

Although the Black Eagles’ injury list has been reduced in the meantime, it is still not clear which players will be fit to play in the third group match of the Champions League. Already last weekend, BJK coach Sergen Yalcin refrained from using recently recovered players in the starting eleven

It would therefore not be at all surprising if the odds on an away win for Besiktas vs Sporting Lisbon continue to fluctuate. At the moment, the high odds on a Portuguese win have value, as BJK have not won a home game against a Portuguese side for 16 years.

Besiktas – Statistics & current form

Besiktas can breathe a sigh of relief – at least for the time being. According to the latest media reports, the personnel situation at the traditional club from Istanbul has eased considerably. Especially on the offensive side, BJK coach Sergen Yalcin now has many more options at his disposal. Only Miralem Pjanic is still a question mark.

The midfielder of the Black and Whites is still recovering from an injury and was already unavailable for the city derby against Basaksehir. The 31-year-old is expected to be in the squad for the UEFA Champions League, but a starting appearance for Pjanic is rather unrealistic.

Against the visitors from Lisbon, Sergen Yalcin will only have to do without Topal, N’Koudou and Karaman due to injury. Compared to the starting eleven that last conceded a derby defeat in the Turkish top flight, some changes are to be expected for the Black Eagles. After all, Yalcin can use far more legionnaires in the premier league than in the Süper Lig.

Continues the negative trend against Portuguese clubs?

The group match against Sporting Lisbon is not only crucial for Besiktas in terms of the two starting places for the round of 16 in the premier league, but also in the potential duel for third place, which in a worst-case scenario entitles them to participate in the knockout phase of the Europa League.

Because BJK have not won a home match against teams from Portugal for 16 years, it is more than risky to make a prediction on the home side in the upcoming match of Besiktas vs Sporting Lisbon. The last time BJK won a home match in the top flight was in September 2017, against RB Leipzig.

Apart from the home win against Leipzig, there hasn’t been much to cheer about (five draws, five defeats) in the last eleven home games on the big stage of the top flight. At Vodafone Park, BJK have not won a home match in the Champions League for four consecutive seasons. It is quite possible that the negative streak will continue against the visitors from Lisbon.

Predicted line-up of Besiktas:
Destangolu – Rosier, Welinton, Vida, Yilmaz – Hutchinson, Souza – Ghezzal, Özyakup, Larin – Batshuayi

Last matches played by Besiktas:

Sporting Lisbon – Statistics & current form

Last season with the surprising championship in the Primeira Liga, the Lions from Lisbon are once again in the tight circle of title favourites this season. Eight matchdays after the start of the season, Sporting Lisbon already have 20 points on their account. So far, only Benfica and FC Porto have made better starts to the new season.

On the other hand, Sporting Lisbon have made a bad start in the top flight so far. On the first two matchdays, the team of successful coach Ruben Amorim has already suffered two defeats. One of them was the bitter home defeat against Ajax Amsterdam, in which the “Verde a brancos” conceded a total of five goals in their own stadium.

Compared to the weak group opener against the Dutch record champions, Sporting were much stronger in the away match against BVB. Nevertheless, after a match of equals, there was a narrow defeat for Sporting, which has further diminished their chances of making the knockout stage in the Champions League.

Does Sporting show an act of defiance in Istanbul?

Looking at the recent form curve, it cannot be ruled out that at least in the Turkish metropolis of millions the first points on the international stage beckon. Sporting Lisbon have won four of their last five competitive matches, including the recent dress rehearsal in the Portuguese Cup against OS Belenenses.

Sporting have yet to win in Turkey in four attempts. The last time the Lions were in Istanbul, they even suffered an away defeat against Basaksehir in the Europa League 2020. Nevertheless, the Lisboners – at least after the strong performance against BVB – are to be rated stronger than the Turkish hosts, who are in poor form.

Ruben Amorim is also spared any personnel worries and only has to do without Porro due to injury in the third group game of the top flight. If the “Verde e brancos” celebrate their first away win in Turkey on Tuesday evening, odds of 2.38 are paid on Besiktas vs. Sporting Lisbon for tip 2.

Predicted line-up of Sporting Lisbon:
Adan – Neto, Coates, Feddal – Porro, Palhinha, Braganca, Reis – Sarabia, Paulinho, Tomas

Last matches played by Sporting Lisbon:

Besiktas – Sporting Lisbon Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

Until now, the two clubs have only met twice on the international stage – both matches were in the 2015/16 Europa League. With the first leg still a draw in Istanbul, the second leg saw a comfortable win for Sporting Lisbon, who now lead the head-to-head comparison with a 1-1-0 record.

Besiktas – Sporting Lisbon Tip

The third group match is of immense importance for Besiktas and Sporting Lisbon in the race for the two starting places in the last 16 of the top flight. If they are successful, one of the two clubs can close the gap on BVB or Ajax, depending on how the match between the group rivals ends.

Besiktas have not won a home match against a Portuguese team for 16 years. Sporting, on the other hand, have never won away in four attempts in Turkey. It is likely that one of the two negative streaks will be broken, and a draw would not be satisfactory for either BJK or the Lions from Lisbon.

Because Sporting Lisbon have been far stronger than the hosts from Istanbul in recent weeks, we see the Portuguese representatives as favourites in the third group match, as do the bookmakers. BJK has been struggling with a few personnel problems lately and is starting with its best line-up for the first time in a while.

However, it is not clear in which condition the recovered key players will be. Most recently, they suffered a derby defeat against Basaksehir, in which BJK’s backline in particular was shown up. With a bet of six units, we dare to bet on Besiktas vs. Sporting Lisbon with attractive betting odds on the Portuguese guests.