By Content Editor
06 December 2021, 16:02 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Match Preview Ajax vs Sporting CP Champions League Dec 7, 2021

The UEFA Champions League Group C fixture, AFC Ajax vs. Sporting CP, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, December 7, at the Amsterdam ArenA. An Italian crew, led by Davide Massa (ITA), will have the luxury of officiating this game. Meanwhile, Video Assistant Referee Paolo Valeri (ITA) will be in communication with the six-man crew from the VAR room.

Preview Ajax Champions League, Dec 7, 2021

Preview Ajax return to the star-studded table of champions following an emphatic 5-0 victory against Willem II in the Eredivisie over the weekend. The club sits at the top of the Dutch domestic league, unbeaten in five games across all competitions: DWWWW. Like Liverpool (Group B) and Bayern Munich (Group E), Ajax have also won all their fixtures in the UEFA Champions League group stage (5W, 0D, & 0L), and have 15 points. With a place in the last-16 already guaranteed, coupled with a first-place finish, Erik ten Hag, who remains on Manchester United’s radar for the permanent managerial seat at Old Trafford, will be free to experiment on UCL MD6. Hag was caught wooing suitors over the weekend, having told the Dutch daily, de Volkskrant, that he was ready to take the next bold step in his managerial career, fashioned in a come-and-get-me plea. I think I'm ready for it [to move to a top foreign club]. I would be happy to take up that challenge, the 51-year-old said, seemingly pushing the button at Old Trafford. Sébastien Haller, UCL's top scorer with nine goals, along with Robert Lewandowski, is expected to keep his place in Hag's 4—3—3 formation, as he attempts to outscore the Pole in what appears to be a neck-to-neck battle. Maarten Stekelenburg is out for the season, while Sean Klaiber remains doubtful. If booked, Jurrien Timber will miss the next match.

Preview Sporting CP Champions League, Dec 7, 2021

Preview Sporting are back in the UEFA Champions League following a 3-1 win over Benfica in the Portuguese top-flight division. The club returns with five straight victories across all competitions: WWWWW, as runners-up in Group C, having picked up 9 points from 3W, 0D, & 2L. On UCL Matchday 5, Sporting defeated ten-man Dortmund, 3-1, at the Estádio José Alvalade. Manager Rúben Amorim aims to repeat his Matchday 5 success on Tuesday. Three at the back is expected, designed in the 3—4—2—1 or 3—4—3 formation with Paulinho at the center of the attacking trio. Sporting also have their injury woes. João Palhinha remains doubtful alongside Sebastian Coates (COVID-19). Ruben Vinagre’s availability is also shrouded in mystery, while Jovane Cabral (knee) also joins the list of possible absentees. Meanwhile, if booked, Feddal, João Palhinha (should he feature), and Matheus Nunes will miss the next match, along with Pedro Porro.

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