FCSB – Sporting

FCSB and Sporting Lisbon will square off in an all or nothing Champions League playoffs match, after the two teams settled for a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

FCSB is having a modest season domestically, especially in terms of their level of play – because otherwise their 4-3-0 is not that horrible. The hosts have played poor football and conceded a goal in 6 of the 7 matches they played. However, FCSB showed a different level in Europe, defeating Viktoria Plzen 5-2 aggregate (after a very good second leg in Plzen), and claiming a deserved 0-0 draw in Lisbon, not allowing Sporting to create too many chances.

The Portugese side looked rusty last week and even though they had a few opportunities to score, they also dodged 2 bullets at their own goal, so in the end the 0-0 result looked like a fair one. The visitors fared much better domestically, winning all their 3 league matches with an 8-0 aggregate scoreline – including a 5-0 road win against Guimaraes over the weekend, a match in which Sporting played very well.

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Team news & lineups:

Sporting didn`t rest players over the weekend, while FCSB gave a break to almost all starters. FCSB will miss key defensive players Balasa and Pintilii, while Budescu is questionable, but should play. The hosts also didn`t have time to register 4 other players which they signed in the last weeks. Key midfielder Carvalho and Podence are out for Sporting.

FCSB: Nita – Enache, Larie, Momcilovic, Morais – Popescu, Filip – Teixeira, Budescu, Tanase – Alibec

Sporting Lisbon: Rui Patricio – Piccini, Coates, Mathieu, Coentrao – Silva, Battaglia – Martins, Fernandes, Acuna – Dost

FCSB has big problems in defense, having to play a partnership of Larie (3rd choice center back) and Momcilovic (a left back). Granted, this was the case in the first leg as well, and FCSB’s defense managed to fend off Sporting’s attacks. However, it`s doubtful that this can happen for the second time in a row – especially as now FCSB also misses key DM Pintilii, who helped a lot with the defensive duties last week.

FCSB’s defense looked poor all season and the first leg was only the 2nd time in 10 matches when FCSB kept a clean sheet this season (all competitions). Chances are their improvised defense won`t have what it takes to play consecutive good matches against a superior opponent which has plenty of offensive quality.

Sporting might have shaken off a bit of the rust they had in the first leg, as they now have a couple more matches under their belt, so you would expect a better performance from them. The visitors should be able to bang a couple of goals here against this FCSB defense, particularly since they might have a few more spaces to exploit – as FCSB at home will probably not park the bus as they did in Portugal.

I do expect Sporting to win and qualify, but they are no world beaters, and FCSB played well in Europe so far. I feel odds on the visitors are too low and I think betting on goals could be a wiser choice.

The Romanians will have their chances on counters, just like in the first leg. Sporting’s defenders aren`t the fastest out there, and FCSB has a couple of very good passers in the starting XV (especially if Budescu returns), so they should be able to create some chances themselves.

I can see a rather cautious start from both sides, but the first goal should totally open things up considering the result in the first leg. If FCSB scores first, Sporting will have to push even more. If Sporting scores, FCSB must throw caution out the window and it could become a fast paced match with both teams running up and down the field.

I expect a different game than the one in Portugal (which could have seen a couple of goals as well). I expect the two sides to find the net 3 or 4 times between them, but my tip will be over 2 goals to be scored – the high odds on goals allow us to take a safer bet and get our money back if the net will only be found twice. Prediction: FCSB – Sporting Lisbon 1-2.

Pick: over 2 goals
Odds: 1.70 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.60
Event date: 23 August