Contents
Champions League Play-off First Leg Showdown
Borussia Dortmund travel to Lisbon to face Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. Both teams have had turbulent seasons, making this an unpredictable encounter.
Sporting CP, despite their stunning 4-1 win over Manchester City earlier in the competition, stumbled towards the end of the league phase, failing to win their last four matches. Their struggles resulted in a last-minute qualification for the play-offs. Since Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United, Joao Pereira’s brief tenure ended quickly, and Rui Borges has taken charge since Boxing Day. Domestically, Sporting are four points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund also faced a rollercoaster campaign. Last season’s finalists finished 10th in the league phase, just outside the automatic qualification zone, following a crucial win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 8. Niko Kovac, who replaced Nuri Sahin as head coach, suffered defeat in his debut against Stuttgart, and he’ll be eager to bounce back with a strong performance in Lisbon.
Match Details
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade
- Date: Tuesday, 11 February
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR)
- VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (NED)
Head-to-Head Record (All Competitions)
- Sporting CP Wins: 1
- Borussia Dortmund Wins: 3
- Draws: 0
- Last Meeting: Sporting CP 3-1 Borussia Dortmund (24 November 2021, Champions League)
Recent Form (All Competitions)
Sporting CP
- 07/02/25: Porto 1-1 Sporting CP
- 02/02/25: Sporting CP 3-1 Farense
- 29/01/25: Sporting CP 1-1 Bologna
- 25/01/25: Sporting CP 2-0 Nacional
- 22/01/25: RB Leipzig 2-1 Sporting CP
Borussia Dortmund
- 08/02/25: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Stuttgart
- 01/02/25: Heidenheim 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
- 29/01/25: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
- 25/01/25: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Werder Bremen
- 21/01/25: Bologna 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
How to Watch Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
| Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| UK | discovery+, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 2 |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| Canada | DAZN Canada |
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Sporting CP Team News
Sporting CP saw Ousmane Diomande and Matheus Reis sent off in their draw against Porto, but both are available for this game. However, Morten Hjulmand is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Viktor Gyokeres has recovered from a minor injury and is expected to start, but Nuno Santos, Pedro Goncalves, and Joao Simoes remain sidelined.
Sporting CP Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Israel; Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Braganca, Debast, Morita; Trincao, Gyokeres, Quenda.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
January signing Carney Chukwuemeka is a doubt after picking up a knock in training, meaning Julian Brandt will likely continue in the number ten role. Julian Ryerson, despite his domestic suspension, is eligible for this match. Emre Can remains the preferred center-back option over Niklas Sule, while Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross are expected to anchor the midfield with Felix Nmecha injured.
Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy.
Score Prediction
Dortmund’s defensive frailties remain a concern, and Kovac’s tactical shift will take time to implement. Sporting CP, despite their inconsistencies, have a strong attacking presence, and an extra day’s rest might give them the edge. Dortmund tend to struggle in away knockout fixtures, which could prove costly here.
Prediction: Sporting CP 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
What are your thoughts on this crucial Champions League play-off? Can Dortmund overcome their defensive struggles, or will Sporting take advantage at home? Share your predictions in the comments!
