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Sporting v Dortmund
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Kick Off: Tuesday 11th February at 20:00
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Competition: UEFA Champions League
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Watch Live: TNT Sports 2
As both teams enter the play-off round of the newly formatted Champions League, this first-leg clash appears to favour the hosts despite their respective finishes and performances in the competition. Below is our in-depth preview ahead of this highly anticipated encounter.
⭐ Sporting v Dortmund Best Bet
Both teams demonstrate significant attacking intent in their domestic leagues, with Sporting leading their division in scoring, averaging 2.71 goals per game. Their prolific home form remains consistent, averaging 2.4 goals per match, having failed to score just once in 20 games at Estádio José Alvalade. Moreover, they have found the net in every European fixture this season.
However, their defensive frailties were exposed during the group stage, where they conceded as many goals as they scored, only scraping through qualification on goal difference. While they have maintained a solid defensive record domestically (7 clean sheets in 16 matches), vulnerabilities remain, having conceded in more games than they have shut out.
Denying this Borussia Dortmund side will be a challenge. Only Barcelona scored more goals than Dortmund in the group stage, with the German side netting 22 times across 8 matches. However, domestic form has been a concern, with Dortmund losing 4 of their last 6 league games, dropping to an uncharacteristic 11th place.
Defensive struggles on the road are particularly concerning, as they concede an average of 2.1 goals per away match. With their Bundesliga top-4 hopes dwindling, full focus will be on this fixture, making an attacking approach inevitable.
🟢 Sporting v Dortmund ABC Exclusive Boost
Both strikers are in outstanding goalscoring form in both domestic and European competitions, making them the key targets points of this special betting market.
Viktor Gyökeres: He has netted 6 goals in the group stage, contributing half of Sporting’s total tally (12). The Swedish striker dominates his team’s shooting metrics, averaging 1.88 shots on target per 90 minutes. He has registered at least 1 shot on target in his last 9 matches, hitting 2 or more in 4 of them. His physical playstyle ensures he draws plenty of defensive attention, averaging 2.08 fouls won per 90 minutes, with 2+ fouls drawn in 19 of his 28 starts this season. In the Champions League, he has drawn at least 1 foul in 5 of his 6 starts, including 2 or more in 3. These frequent foul involvements often see him also commit fouls, having done so in all 6 of his UCL appearances.
Serhou Guirassy: Dortmund’s primary goal threat, finished as joint-top goalscorer in the group stage with 9 goals. He leads his side in shot production, averaging 2.78 shots per game, with 1.26 on target. He has managed multiple shots on target in 2 of his last 3 starts and 4 of 8 UCL appearances. Like Gyökeres, Guirassy attracts numerous fouls, drawing 2.05 per 90 minutes. In Europe, he has been fouled in 7 of 8 matches and twice or more in 3 of them. Additionally, his disciplinary record shows he has committed at least 1 foul in 5 of his last 7 games, including 3 of his last 4 European fixtures.
👕 Sporting v Dortmund Predicted XI
🔍 Sporting v Dortmund Players to Watch
🟢 Viktor Gyokeres
Gyökeres has established himself as a global star with his prolific scoring record in 2024, netting 52 goals for club and country — 12 more than the next-highest scorer. His clinical form has continued into 2025, with 7 goals in just 424 minutes. Averaging 1.88 shots on target per 90, he has done so in all of his last 9 appearances. Notably, he was Sporting’s only player to score more than once in the group stage (6 goals), proving to be their primary attacking force.
🟡 Serhou Guirassy
Dortmund’s talismanic striker is 1 goal away from equalling the club’s all-time record for goals in a single UCL season. With 9 goals in both Bundesliga and Champions League action, he remains their most lethal finisher. Averaging 2.78 shots per game and hitting the target with 1.26 of those, Guirassy will be a constant threat.
📂 Sporting v Dortmund Cheat Sheet
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💻 Sporting v Dortmund Form and Tactics
Sporting CP progressed beyond the main draw of the Champions League for just the 3rd time in their last 10 attempts. However, a failure to win any of their final 4 group matches (D1, L3) meant they advanced solely on goal difference. Despite entering as the unseeded side in this play-off, they hold a slight advantage, not only due to their 3-1 home victory over Dortmund in 2021/22 but also their formidable home record. Sporting are yet to lose at Estádio José Alvalade under Rui Borges (W4, D1) and have suffered just 1 defeat in 20 games across all competitions.
Sporting’s possession statistics from the group stage indicate a more defensive approach, ranking 19th in both shots on target and accurate passes. Dortmund is expected to dominate possession (54.9%). Sporting’s aggressive pressing style has seen them average 11.4 fouls per game in Europe, rising to 12.25 in home matches.
Dortmund’s European campaign has been successful (W5, L3), but their domestic struggles place added pressure on the UCL. Historically, Dortmund have fared better against Portuguese opposition than any other country they have faced more than 10 times (W9, L5). However, their away record in UCL knockout rounds is concerning, with just 2 wins in their last 12 such fixtures (D1, L9). Notably, last season’s semi-final victory at PSG (1-0) remains a rare success.
New manager, Niko Kovač brings European pedigree, having never lost in 6 UCL away games as Bayern Munich boss (W4, D2). Dortmund ranked among the group stage’s top 10 teams in shots on target (6.4 per game), big chances created (27), and accurate passes (460.3 per match). Additionally, they were awarded the most penalties (5), suggesting a strong presence in opposition penalty areas.
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🏁 Sporting v Dortmund Ref Watch
- Referee – Espen Eskas
- In the league phase, only Bologna collected more yellow cards than Real Madrid who averaged 3.0 cards per game.
| Average Cards (Y / R) | 3.00 / 0.25 |
| Fouls Given | 21.00 |
| Penalties | 0.25 |
📺 How to Watch Sporting v Dortmund in the Champions League
📅 When is Sporting v Dortmund? / Tuesday, 11th February 2025, 20:00
🏟 Where is Sporting v Dortmund? / Estadio Jose Alvalade (Lisbon)
📺 What TV Channel is Sporting v Dortmund on? / TNT Sports 2
🟨 …And who is the referee for Sporting v Dortmund? / Espen Eskas 🇳🇴
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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