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European Football
Preview - 02 Oct 2007
Sporting look to have been
under-estimated ahead of their trip to the Ukraine.
Tuesday 19:45. Dynamo Kiev vs Sporting Lisbon
Dynamo Kiev are a traditionally strong side at home, but there's
not that much in their favour at the moment. They can't even rely on
the weather to help them out at this time of year. The main problem
is that Joszef Szabo's side are just not very good. Last season's
Champions League campaign was a bit of a shocker, as they were not
only beaten by the top seeds, they were also humiliated 4-1 by
Steaua Bucharest on their own patch. They haven't started this one
much better, going down tamely in Rome. Domestically, it's all going
wrong too, as they already find themselves ten points behind
pace-setters Shaktar Donetsk. Defence is a key problem for Sabo's
side, with lynchpin Diakate out injured. Set-pieces have proved a
particular weakness in his absence, whilst they are also vulnerable
to pace.
Sporting are a solid, yet unspectacular Portuguese side who
appear to be improving all the time. They finished second in the
Portuguese league last season, just a point behind Champions Porto.
The most telling factor in that title push was their outstanding
away record. No defeats, and only six goals conceded in fifteen
games. That defensive solidity was a strength that also came to the
fore in their Champions League campaign, as they kept a clean sheet
in Munich, and only went down by the narrowest of margins in Milan
against Inter. In matchday one they put up a creditable display
against Manchester United, rather unluckily going down to a
second-half Cristiano Ronaldo header. It was a typical Sporting
performance - tough in defence and looking to hit with pace on the
break. Unfortunately they just couldn't take any of the
opportunities that presented themselves, and were caught out with
one of very few meaningful United attacks.
Sporting coach Paolo Bento pulled no surprises with his pre-match
talk - "Matches at this level rarely have many goals,
especially when both sides are striving for victory. So
interceptions, fast breaks and switching quickly from defence to
attack become important, and we feel strong in these areas. But do
not anticipate many goals."
Expect a tight game, light on goalmouth action. Sporting are
well-equipped to get a result, and may just be able to sneak a
crucial three points against an out-of-form Dynamo side missing
their defensive lynchpin, and who are vulnerable to pace, and the
kind of set-piece situations which Sporting are well practiced in
exploiting.
Recommendation(s) : 4pts Sporting
Lisbon +0.25 @ Evens. Stan James. 0.75pts Sporting
Lisbon to win to nil @ 11/2. Skybet.
Ilunga
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