Juventus vs Sporting CP: Preview and Prediction

Juventus and Sporting CP are set to face off in the UEFA Champions League group stage in Turin, with Juventus seeking their first European win under new coach Luciano Spalletti and Sporting aiming to strengthen their knockout stage qualification hopes.

Juventus have struggled in the Champions League, drawing high-scoring matches against Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal and losing to Real Madrid, which extended their winless streak to eight games and led to Igor Tudor's dismissal. Spalletti's first Serie A match resulted in a 2-1 win over Cremonese, boosting morale, but Juventus have only won two of their last 11 Champions League games and need a victory to avoid early elimination. Historically, Juventus are unbeaten in four meetings with Sporting, winning both home games.

Sporting CP enter the match in excellent form, with five consecutive wins across all competitions, including a recent Primeira Liga victory over Alverca and Champions League wins against Kairat Almaty and Marseille. However, they have a poor away record in Italy, having never won in 19 visits and losing 14 of those matches, including three straight Champions League away defeats by a 2-1 scoreline.

Juventus's lineup is expected to feature a 3-5-2 formation under Spalletti, with Michele Di Gregorio in goal, a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Daniele Rugani, and Federico Gatti, and a midfield including Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, and Teun Koopmeiners, supported by wing-backs Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic. The attack will likely pair Lois Openda and Dusan Vlahovic, with tactics focusing on defensive solidity, quick transitions, and utilizing Vlahovic's hold-up play.

Sporting CP face injury absences, with Nuno Santos and Daniel Braganca out due to knee injuries, which may affect their midfield creativity and versatility for the match.