The Lisbon club had won the Primeira Liga title twice in a row before surrendering top spot to Porto in the spring. They dropped points in the very first round this season, settling for a draw away to Estrela. However, they subsequently embarked on a winning run. In the latest round, they beat Nacional 2-0.
The ambitious Istanbul side retained their league title last season, although they lost the Super Cup to their main rivals, Fenerbahçe. This season, the favourites surprisingly dropped points against debutants Çorum in the opening round. However, they have since returned to winning ways. They also beat İstanbul, although only by a 3-2 scoreline.
The home side are averaging 2.8 goals scored per match while conceding one. Their opponents, meanwhile, are scoring three goals per game and conceding 1.5.
Head to Head matches: Sporting Lisbon vs Galatasaray
This will be the first meeting between the teams.
The hosts are considered favourites. However, the visitors have enough firepower to score, so we are backing over 2.5 total goals (odds – 1.66).
Sporting Lisbon vs Galatasaray: key statistics and trends
Sporting Lisbon have won four of their five matches this season
60% of Sporting’s matches have seen both teams score, with an average total of 3.8 goals per game
Galatasaray have won three of their first four matches
75% of Galatasaray’s matches have seen both teams score, with an average total of 4.5 goals per game
Sporting Lisbon vs Galatasaray: Possible starting lineups
Sporting Lisbon play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Rui Silva – Inácio, Debast, Fresneda, Araújo – Dumbia, Altimira – Salas, Catamo, Gonçalves – Luis Suárez
Galatasaray play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Yılmaz – Jakobs, Bardakcı, Sánchez, Sallai – Lemina, Torreira – Yılmaz, Sara, Akgün – Osimhen
