Yahoo Sports Club Brugge v Sporting CP Preview | Belgian champions looking to cement place in the top 24 of the Champions League
Club Brugge have performed well in the newly revamped Champions League format. In their five games so far, the side have won two, drawn one and lost two. Even in their defeats, the side have played well. They now face a Sporting CP side with one of the hottest strikers in world football. A win would draw them level on points with the Portuguese side and cement their position in the top 24, while also giving them a chance of making it into the top eight.
Club come into the clash off the back of a late win over KV Mechelen. Despite conceding in injury time, the defending Belgian champions then rallied to get themselves back in front late on. They can ill afford such late game drama against this Sporting side. Club also need to ensure they are more efficient in European competitions. They could have easily beaten Celtic if they had taken their first half chances, while their victory over Sturm Graz could also have been more convincing for the same reason. In the striking department, the side can at least count on the return of their Swedish striker Gustaf Nilsson.
Sporting are averaging two goals per game in the competition this season, winning three of their five matches. This included a 4-1 win over Manchester City with a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres. The 26-year-old has already scored 17 league goals in just 13 games this season, with another five in the Champions League. However, the side did suffer a defeat last time out in the competition when they lost 5-1 to Arsenal. They have since lost 1-0 to Santa Clara and 2-1 to Moreirense.
Sporting finish their Champions League campaign against RB Leipzig and Bologna, while Club face Manchester City and Juventus.
