Eintracht Frankfurt and Sporting Lisbon

Eintracht Frankfurt and Sporting Lisbon are set to face each other at the Deutsche Bank Park in their Champions League Group D opener.

Coming into this fixture, Eintracht Frankfurt have won consecutive Bundesliga matches, netting precisely four goals in each triumph to shake off the hangover from last season’s Europa League success. Frankfurt lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in July and will be desperate to bounce back in their maiden Champions League group stage appearance. ‘Die Adler’ may enter this contest as slight favourites, yet their indifferent overall European record against Portuguese clubs suggests this encounter could go either way (W2, D2, L2). History backs Oliver Glasner’s men to succeed, with each of the last six Europa League winners progressing from their Champions League group the following season. Based on Frankfurt’s unbeaten home run in last season’s Europa League (W2, D4), there’s plenty of reason for optimism in the German camp.

On the other hand, Sporting’s disappointing start to the new domestic campaign (W2, D1, L2) has cast doubt on their bid to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages for the season on the spin. Adding to this sentiment, last season’s Primeira Liga runners-up have suffered 14 defeats in 15 European meetings with German clubs, including seven in a row since a goalless draw with Bayern Munich in October 2006. There’s a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, as Ruben Amorim’s men won three of their last four Champions League group stage outings (L1), as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W3, D1, L11). However, Sporting’s porous backline is a reason for concern. They have conceded 2+ goals in three of their last four competitive away matche spanning back to the 2021/22 season.