Juventus vs Sporting Lisbon Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Juventus’ five home European games this season.
• Both teams have scored in Sporting’s last three away European games.
• Juventus have scored in seven of their last eight at home and Sporting in eight of nine away.

Juve set for Sporting test

Juventus will be tested by an unpredictable Sporting Lisbon side in Thursday’s first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. Ruben Amorim’s side came through an open last-16 tie against Arsenal on penalties, riding their luck at times, but also showing a mentality that suggests they can compete against Juve.

The Old Lady overcame Freiburg in comfortable circumstances, adding two more goals without reply to the 1-0 first-leg lead they established in Turin. Massimiliano Allegri can welcome Federico Chiesa back to his starting XI this week after giving him 30 minutes off the bench in their 2-1 defeat at Lazio on Saturday.

The Italy international can help Juve penetrate a Sporting defence that was opened up far too easily at Casa Pia over the weekend. Francesco Trincao’s heroics enabled the Lions to win 4-3, but they remain off the pace in the race to finish in a Champions League berth and, like Juventus, the Europa League represents their best hope of returning to Europe’s top table.

Swerve Old Lady and go for goals

The Bianconeri are usually dependable at home, having won six of their last eight contests in Turin, but Sporting are unbeaten in nine away from the Alvalade. They held Benfica, who beat Juve at Allianz Stadium in September, to a 2-2 away draw in January.

So it may be best to swerve Juventus at their 4/5 match result odds here and play both teams to score instead. Both teams have scored in four of the hosts’ five home European games this term and in the majority of Sporting’s away trips in both the Champions League and Europa League.

A 1-1 draw is the preference in correct score markets because Juve have only hit multiple goals in two of their last nine home clashes while Sporting have only shipped more than once in three of their last 16 away contests.