Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City Predictions

• Sporting are unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions, winning 14 of those
• Manchester City have not lost three matches on the spin for more than three years
• Viktor Gyokeres has 24 goals in 20 appearances for club and country this season

Departing Amorim to land major scalp

Sporting Lisbon may be dealing with the impending departure of head coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, but the 39-year-old will remain in the dugout for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City and he will hope to sign off from his final home game in charge with a positive result.

The reigning Portuguese champions have certainly been flying under Amorim, winning all 10 of their matches in this season’s Primeira Liga, scoring 35 goals and conceding just three.

The most recent of those successes was Friday’s 5-1 home win over Estrela, a victory that came after the announcement of Amorim’s impending departure, underlining that Sporting have been able to maintain their levels despite the ongoing upheaval in their dugout.

A home clash with City will represent Sporting’s toughest test of the season to date, but the Lions have taken seven points from their opening three Champions League games – the same amount as the Citizens – who they could be facing at the right time.

Depleted City could suffer third-straight loss

After going unbeaten across their opening 14 matches of the season, City will head into this game looking to avoid a third-successive defeat after following up a 2-1 EFL Cup loss at Tottenham with Saturday’s reverse by the same scoreline against Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Not since August 2021 have City lost three games on the bounce – and even then those defeats were stretched over two different seasons – but with manager Pep Guardiola having to deal with an injury crisis ahead of the trip to Lisbon, another loss on Tuesday is a distinct possibility.

Rodri, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Oscar Bobb are all definitely out, while doubts remain over players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho.

Even with so many players out, City will be competitive and can score against Sporting, but the in-form hosts can capitalise on the visitors’ ongoing frailties and can take at least a point from the contest.

Gyokeres can play starring role again

If Sporting are to gain a positive result on Tuesday, then Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres will surely play a key role.

The 26-year-old has 24 goals in 20 appearances for club and country this season, including 16 in 10 in the Primeira Liga, while he ran in a staggering four goals in Friday’s thrashing of Estrela.

Gyokeres is one of Europe’s most in-form strikers and against a potentially depleted City backline, he could set Sporting on their way to a famous result.