Young Boys-Sporting CP is a match valid for the first leg of the play-offs for access to the round of 16 of the Europa League and is played on Thursday at 6:45 p.m.: TV, probable formations, predictions.
Ahead of everyone in the Liga Portugal and protagonist of a thrilling duel with Benfica’s “cousins” – they have the same points in the standings – Ruben Amorim’s Sporting to continue to make its way in the Europa League will have to go through the dangerous play-offs for access to the round of 16 with one of the relegated from the Champions League. The “fault” lies with Atalanta, which finished ahead of the Portuguese in the group stage, collecting three more points.
The draw, however, was benevolent for the green-and-whites, paired with the Swiss of Young Boys, an opponent not to be underestimated but still within reach. Sporting, we said, is doing very well at home: in the league the last defeat was in December, while in the new year Amorim’s team surrendered only to Braga in the national cup. Revenge came over the last weekend, with the Lisbon club smashing an impressive 5 goals (5-0) against Artur Jorge’s Red and White, a real show of strength that confirms the green-and-white’s offensive power: no one has scored more goals (58, even twelve more than Benfica).
Young Boys not to be underestimated
Also very prolific is Young Boys, firmly in the lead of the Swiss league standings and with seven more points than its most credible pursuer, Servette.
The yellow-and-whites, despite an unremarkable start, managed to impose their supremacy and in the Champions League had no trouble finishing in third place behind heavy favorites Manchester City and Leipzig. Despite not starting out as favorites, in short, they can create more than one headache for the Lusitanians, although much will depend on the outcome of the first leg match. After two wins in a row, meanwhile, Raphael Wicky’s men at the weekend drew 2-2 with Lugano. The yellow-and-white coach will be able to field the best possible lineup – new signing Mugisha is pawing the bench – while Amorim does not yet know if he will be able to count on Diomande, who has just returned from the African Cup of Nations.
The Prediction
There is no shortage of pitfalls in this away game and not only because it is played on a synthetic field. Sporting should avoid defeat but they won’t have an easy time: goals and emotions will not be lacking.
The probable lineups of Young Boys-Sporting CP
YOUNG BOYS (4-3-3): Von Ballmoos; Blum, Camara, Lustenberger, Hadjam; Males, Lauper, Ugrinic; Mvuka, Itten, Colley.
SPORTING CP (3-4-3): Adan; Quaresma, Coates, Inacio; Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Trincao, Gyokeres, Goncalves.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
