Sporting CP host Bodo/Glimt in Lisbon on 17 March in a UEFA Champions League 1/8 final second leg, trying to overturn a 3-0 defeat in Bodo on 11 March. In the overall competition table, Sporting sit 7th with 16 points and a +6 goal difference, boasting a perfect home record (4 wins from 4, 11-3 goals). Bodo/Glimt are 23rd with 9 points and a -1 goal difference but arrive with strong attacking numbers and confidence from that 3-0 home win.
Key Insight
Sporting’s home dominance (2.8 goals scored and only 0.8 conceded per home match) contrasts sharply with their away fragility, exposed again in the 3-0 loss in Norway. However, Bodo/Glimt average 2.2 goals per game overall and have scored 10 times in 6 away fixtures, suggesting they can threaten on the counter. Sporting are weakened by the absences of F. Ioannidis, G. Kochorashvili, R. Mangas and G. Quenda, while Bodo/Glimt only list depth players M. Bro Hansen and G. Sunday as out. Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Høgh (6 goals each) give the visitors real cutting edge.
Verdict
Sporting should dominate in Lisbon, but Bodo/Glimt’s attacking form and 3-0 cushion make them favorites to progress, even if the second leg ends in a narrow Sporting win.
