02 November 2021, 10:22 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group C fixture, Sporting CP vs. Beşiktaş JK, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Matchday 4, Wednesday, November 3, at the Estádio José Alvalade. Referee Sergei Karasev (RUS) will have the luxury of being in charge of this game, with help coming from Video Assistant Referee, Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP).
Preview Sporting CP Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview Sporting CP hopes to complete a back-to-back double over Beşiktaş after defeating the Turkish side 4-1 on Matchday 3. Skipper, Sebastián Coates (15’ & 27’) led by example, handing his side the lead in the first 15 before returning twelve minutes later for the brace. - Sandwiching a leveler from Beşiktaş’ Cyle Larin (24’). One minute to the stroke of half-time, Pablo Sarabia (44’ P.) struck from the penalty spot to extend Sporting’s lead. And then Paulinho (89’) wrapped up the three points with a minute left on the clock. It was the first victory for the Portuguese side in the competition this season and it leaves the club in 3rd place with 3 points after Matchday 3: 1W, 0D, & 2L. Over the weekend, Sporting picked up a narrow win over Vitoria SC in the domestic Primeira Liga. On Wednesday, Rúben Amorim aims to follow up that victory with another on European soil. He could utilize the attacking 3—4—3 formation once again, with the trio consisting of Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho, and Sarabia leading the frontline. Meanwhile, Zouhair Feddal will miss the next match if booked.
Preview Beşiktaş Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview Beşiktaş returns to the table of champions after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig, leaving the club with the form, WLLWL after five games across all competitions. In Group C, the Turkish outfit is at the bottom with no points after three games: 0W, 0D, & 3L. Only a win will be good enough to keep Besiktas’ chances of qualifying for the next round open. Sergen Yalçn will try to get his first three-point of the UCL campaign on Wednesday when he meets Sporting for the second time in this edition of the UEFA Champions League. A probable 4—2—3—1 formation with Michy Batshuayi leading the attack is expected from Yalçn. A win for Beşiktaş will put the club on the front foot before they take on Ajax on Matchday 5. On availability, Souza failed to feature in the weekend's defeat to Hatayspor, having been sidelined with a thigh injury. Meanwhile, Mehmet Topal made his comeback over the weekend, following a groin injury in the 3-2 win at Antalyaspor on 18th of September, this year.