RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP Preview
- Tournament: UEFA Champions League
- Date: 22nd January 2025
- Kickoff time: 17:45
- Venue: Red Bull Arena Leipzig
For the first time, we have RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League. The two sides are have not had the best of seasons in the European competition and will be desperate to get a win.
RB Leipzig sit 34th in the league table with six losses in six matches. They are one of the three sides to lose all their matches so far and are already out of the competition.
The German side have no chance of making it to the Top 24 this season and only have pride to play for in the last two matches. They have a negative 7-goal difference but can jump to 29th in the table if they pick up a win by 2 or more goals.
Sporting CP have suffered losses since Ruben Aorim left the club for Manchester United. They are 17th in the table with 10 points, having won two and lost two of their last 5 games in the competition.
A win this week would seal their knockout stage and also get them a chance to battle for the top 8 on the final matchday. However, they have a goal difference of just 2 and know that this is their best chance to improve it.
RB Leipzig Team News
As many as five players are set to be missing for Marco Rose this week due to injuries. Benjamin Henrichs, Xaver Schlager, Andre Silva, Castello Lukeba and Assan Ouedraogo are ruled out and are unlikely to make the squad for the final matchday as well.
Sporting CP Team News
Nuno Santos is the only player ruled out for the away side this week. Pote is a doubt but is expected to make the team sheet, even if he is only on the bench.
ALSO READ:
RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP Predicted Lineups
RB Leipzig Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):
Goalkeeper: Gulacsi
Defenders: Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban
Midfielders: Baku, Vermeeren, Haidara, Raum
Forward: Simons, Sesko, Openda
Sporting CP Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Silva
Defenders: Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio, Reis
Midfielders: Catamo, Morita, Hjulmand, Quenda
Forward: Trincao, Gyokeres
RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP H2H Record
RB Leipzig have never faced Sporting CP and this will be their first-ever meeting in any European competition. The German side have met Portuguese opponents four times and all of them have come in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The four matches have seen a total of 16 goals and with strikers from both teams in red-hot form, many goals are expected this week as well. However, Leipzig will be wary that they have scored 8 and conceded as well in those games.
Since 2022, Portuguese sides have won three of the four away games in Germany. Sporting CP defeated Eintracht Frankfurt in their last visit to a Bundesliga side and will be hoping to repeat that this week.
Key Players to Watch in RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP
Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig)
Benjamin Šeško has been linked with a move to Chelsea or Arsenal this summer and he will be aware that scouts from both clubs will be present in the stadium. He has scored 4 goals in his last 5 matches with an xG of just 1.7 – none of the goals coming from the penalty spot.
Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)
Viktor Gyökeres is the man to watch from Sporting CP as he has been in red-hot form. He has scored 5 goals in his last 5matches despite having an xG of 2.7, while also getting an assist to his name.
The Sporting CO star has scored 22 goals in the league with another 5 goals in 6 UEFA Champions League matches.
RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP Prediction
Viktor Gyökeres and Benjamin Sesko will be the main factors in the result of this match. The two strikers have been outdoing their xG in the last few games and it would not be a surprise if they score from a distance in this match.
Predicted Score: RB Leipzig 3-3 Sporting CP
Where to Watch RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP Live?
| Country | Where to Watch |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| UK | TNT Sports |
| Ukraine | Megogo |
| France | Canal+ |
| India | SonyLIV |
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When is RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP?
A. RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP takes place on 19th January.
Q. Where to watch RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP live for free?
A. Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream will stream the RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP match for free.
Q. What is the predicted score for RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP?
A. RB Leipzig are expected to draw 3-3 vs Sporting CP
Q. What is the recent result of RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP?
A. RB Leipzig have never faced Sporting CP.