Sporting CP
vs
Atletico Madrid
Kick-off
19:05 GMT
12 April 2018
European football weeks at this stage of the season always conclude with a round of Europa League fixtures on the Thursday. With Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sporting vs Atletico is one of four Europa League quarters on Thursday night. Like most of the others, this is one that certainly wouldn’t look out of place in the more elite of the two, both sides did start this term in the Champions League but were knocked out.
This will be the fourth clash between the two sides and all four have come in the Europa League. The most recent one was, of course, Atletico’s 2-0 win in the first-leg where goals from Koke and Griezmann gave them a very good lead heading into this second leg. The earlier meeting back in 2010 saw Atletico go through on the away goals ruling. The first leg ended goalless before the second leg was a 2-2 draw. Sergio Aguero got both goals for the Spanish side back then.
Sporting need to avoid conceding an early goal which would give them far too much to do. Daniel Podence won’t return before the end of the season while Bruno Silva isn’t available either. Latest matches: Sporting CP
08.04.2018
Liga
Sporting CP
FC Pacos Ferreira
2:0
W
05.04.2018
UEFA
Atletico Madrid
Sporting CP
2:0
L
31.03.2018
Liga
Sporting Braga
Sporting CP
1:0
L
18.03.2018
Liga
Sporting CP
Rio Ave FC
2:0
W
15.03.2018
UEFA
FC Viktoria Plzen
Sporting CP
2:1
L
A first-half goal for the visitors would go a long way to securing their place in the semi-final. Jose Gimenez is still nursing an injury he sustained on international duty and probably won’t be risked. Latest matches: Atletico Madrid
08.04.2018
LaLi
Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
1:1
D
05.04.2018
UEFA
Atletico Madrid
Sporting CP
2:0
W
01.04.2018
LaLi
Atletico Madrid
Deportivo La Coruna
1:0
W
18.03.2018
LaLi
Villarreal CF
Atletico Madrid
2:1
L
15.03.2018
UEFA
FC Lokomotiv Moscow
Atletico Madrid
1:5
W
With their two-goal lead from the first leg, Atletico are undoubtedly big favourites to qualify for the semis. An expected away goal would make it too hard for Sporting. However, a tight defensive performance for the hosts could give them a chance, especially if they get an early goal.
12 April 2018 - 19:05 GMT
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