Real Madrid vs Sporting CP Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Real Madrid waited over ten years to clinch La Decima back in the 2013/14 season. They finally did it with an extra time victory over arch rivals Atletico Madrid, and once that monkey was off their back they didn’t wait long to win their 11th European Cup.

Last season they faced Atletico Madrid once again in the final of the Champions League. This time, after a 1-1 draw in normal time, it was taken all the way to penalties. Once again Atletico Madrid missed out and Real Madrid won the trophy, and now they’ll be looking to go one better and retain it.

Their new season has started off well so far, with comfortable wins over Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Osasuna, leaving them top of the La Liga table after three matches. The newly re-signed Alvaro Morata has a goal to his name, Gareth Bale has notched a couple, and Cristiano Ronaldo bagged one within six minutes of his return from injury on Saturday.

Now Real Madrid look towards the Champions League group stages, where they are the firm favourites in a group containing them, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw.

Sporting CP will be hoping to upset either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund to make it to the knockout stage and,whilst that seems unlikely, they’ll still want to perform at their best to secure a 3rd place finish in the group and have a crack at the Europa League.

Their season, like their opponents’, has also started off very well. They beat Maritimo in the Portuguese Primeira Liga opener and have since beaten Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Moreirense to maintain a perfect record and put them top of the table as they fight to reclaim the league title.

As is always the case with Portuguese football though, a few of their top players have departed. Joao Mario has left for Inter Milan whilst Islam Slimami went to Leicester on transfer deadline day. Key centre back Naldo has also left, whilst striker Bas Dost and fellow attacker Alan Ruiz have come into the club.

Obviously there is quite a large gap in quality between Real Madrid and Sporting CP, and I don’t think Real Madrid will have any issues in getting all three points on Wednesday. They have won 19 of their last 21 home games in the Champions League, whilst Sporting are without a win in their last seven on the road in the competition.

However, the visitors have scored in each of their last 13 trips away in the Champions League, including goals against Chelsea, Schalke, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Roma, and Manchester United. Real Madrid have conceded three goals in their last two games as well, so odds of 6/4 for a Real Madrid Win and Both Teams to Score look very good value for money. I’m going for a comfortable 4-1 correct score prediction at 12/1 as well.