Sporting Lisbon vs Sturm Graz Prediction: Shock predicted in Portuguese capital

| December 13 |

2 mins read

The Europa League kicks back into action this week with the final round of group fixtures rounding off this year’s European football. Below we’ve previewed Sporting Lisbon vs Sturm Graz (20:00 on Thurday night) and given a couple of betting selections for you to consider.

Sporting Lisbon vs Sturm Graz Tips

Sturm Graz to win @ 4/1
Sturm Graz to win to nil @ 8/1

Team News

Ruben Amorim is expected to rest most of his key players here, given his side face a gargantuan encounter with Porto at the weekend, and they have already secured second place in this group. Pedro Goncalves and top scorer Viktor Gyokeres are both expected to be rested here, and we could see a very different Sporting side turn out for this encounter. Ivan Fresneda and Jeremiah St Juste remain out with injuries.

Sturm Graz have an issue at the back, as defender Gregory Wuthrich is out until the new year which is likely to see them shuffle their pack. Seedy Jatta however is back to full fitness which provides a welcome boost for the Austrian outfit.

Match Odds

Sporting CP are 8/13 to win this clash, with Sturm Graz priced at 4/1. A draw can be backed at 3/1, BTTS is 8/11 and over 2.5 goals is also available at 8/11.

Sturm Graz to win @ 4/1

Sporting have already secured second place here, and they cannot catch Atalanta, who have qualified top of the group. Therefore, this game is a complete waste of time for Ruben Amorim, and the manager is expected to give all of his big names the night off. Sporting have a huge clash at the top of Liga Portugal to come this weekend as they host Porto on Monday night and the manager will want his players fully fit for that one.

The Lions have lost form in recent weeks, losing to Vitoria last time out, but still cling on to top spot in the league table. Their full focus will be on the league game on Monday and Sturm Graz can take full advantage here.

Sturm Graz to win to nil @ 8/1

Without Goncalves and Gyokeres, Sporting’s attacking line-up will be a lot less dangerous. Meanwhile, Sturm Graz are in decent form and have kept three clean sheets in their last five games. They need a result to guarantee third spot and a place in the Europa Conference League, so will be playing their strongest line-up.

They also only conceded once away at Atalanta, and can go one better here. In my eyes, the 8/1 on offer for them to win this game to nil offers huge value when you take into consideration Sporting’s circumstances, and the XI they could name ahead of the kick-off.