Estádio José Alvalade — Lisboa
Team News
Sporting CP
Sporting have been revitalised since sacking Domingos Paciencia and
replacing him with Ricardo Sa Pinto in Feburary. The new manager has led
the side to 6 wins in 8 league games and knocked Manchester City and
Metalist Kharkiv out of the competition.
Elias is still ineligible in the Europa League and could be replaced in midfield by Daniel Carrico or Andre Martins.
Anderson Polga, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Marat Izmailov, Andre Carrillo
and Fabian Rinaudo are all one yellow card away from a European
suspension, though no Sporting players are out of this game for
disciplinary reasons.
probable lineups : Patricio, Insúa, Polga, Xandao, Pereira, Carrico, Schaars, Fernandez, Capel, Wolfswinkel, Izmailov. (4-3-3).
Athletic Bilbao
A huge blow for Athletic Bilbao is the absence through suspension of key
man Javi Martinez. He will be back for the second leg, and Marcelo
Bielsa will be keen that none of Muniain, Herrera, de Marcos or San Jose
pick up a yellow card which would keep them out of the return leg.
Gurpegi, Castillo, Ocio and Perez are all out through injury, but apart
from Martinez, the Athletic team should stay largely unchanged from the
team that drew against Schalke in the last round.
Fernando Llorente has been struggling with a niggling injury, having
completed the full 90 minutes only twice in Athletic's last 13 matches.
He will, however, lead the line once again, providing much of Athletic's
attacking threat.
probable lineups : Iraizoz, Iraola, Amorebieta, José, Aurtenetxe, Iturraspe, Ander, Susaeta, Marcos, Muniain, Llorente. (4-2-3-1).
Match Facts
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Athletic Bilbao's last 8 games in UEFA Europa League.
Athletic Bilbao have conceded at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Europa League.
Athletic Bilbao are undefeated in their last 5 matches in UEFA Europa League.
Head to Head
Sporting CP| Apr 9, 2012 | Sporting Lisbon 1 - Benfica 0 | POR1 |
| Apr 5, 2012 | Metalist Kharkiv 1 - Sporting Lisbon 1 | EL |
| Apr 1, 2012 | Uniao de Leiria 0 - Sporting Lisbon 1 | POR1 |
| Mar 29, 2012 | Sporting Lisbon 2 - Metalist Kharkiv 1 | EL |
| Mar 24, 2012 | Sporting Lisbon 1 - CD Feirense 0 | POR1 |
Athletic Bilbao| Apr 15, 2012 | Athletic Bilbao 1 - Mallorca 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 11, 2012 | Granada 2 - Athletic Bilbao 2 | LIGA |
| Apr 8, 2012 | Athletic Bilbao 1 - Sevilla 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 5, 2012 | Athletic Bilbao 2 - Schalke 04 2 | EL |
| Mar 31, 2012 | FC Barcelona 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0 | LIGA |
Prediction
Sporting have a formidable home record this season, having lost only
once on home soil, and that loss came way back in August. Since that
loss they have won 19 and drawn 2 of their 21 home matches in all
competitions, and have conceded in only 2 of their last 16 home games,
including clean sheets against Benfica, Porto, Braga and Manchester
City. Athletic are clearly up against it.
Marcelo Bielsa's side will have to improve if they are to get a result
here. They have won only 3 of their last 9 matches, and only 2 of their
last 9 away games. It is very interesting, though, that those 2 away
wins for the Basque side have been their 2 most recent away games in the
Europa League - equally impressive victories over Manchester United and
Schalke. Both times Athletic conceded twice but managed to outscore
their opponents. Given that they have already reached the Copa del Rey
final, Bilbao are guaranteed to be playing in the Europa League again
next season, so they have let up in the league somewhat - their priority
clearly being to go as far as possible in the continental competition.
Bielsa will certainly have done his research on his side's Portuguese
opponents, and they have spring a huge surprise in their latest Europa
League games. They have a potent attack and even though Sporting do not
concede many at home, Bilbao will probably have enough to break through a
stubborn defence. Given Sporting's impeccable home record and
Athletic's ability to do the unexpected, this could end in a score draw,
with Athletic's away goals giving them the advantage going into the
second leg.
Sporting CP 2 - 2 Athletic Bilbao
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