Quote from: swogerino on Today at 12:43:41 PM

Quote from: Docnaster on April 04, 2023, 10:38:34 PM

Quote from: Distraction on April 04, 2023, 08:40:02 PM

Juventus - Sporting is going to be a quite close matchup in my opinion. I don't see a big difference especially after Sporting eliminated the biggest favourite of the tournament which was Arsenal in last round.

This is making Sporting a pretty dangerous team actually. Arsenal were one of the best attacking teams in the Europa League. But Sporting still somehow resisted them in Emirates also and made it to this round by penalties. Juventus are going to be a more different opponent for them though. Juventus would play more cautious against Sporting which can make things more interesting in this matchup. It feels like Juventus can get a good result in Turin in the first leg. In that case Sporting's job would be quite difficult home.

Sporting made a huge football statement by eliminating Arsenal in the just concluded round 16 of UEFA Europa League and so it'll be a huge mistake by anyone to underate Sporting but that being said I'm still backing Juventus to oust them from the competition after the two legged encounter. Juventus fine form has been greatly superb especially after their scandal issues with Italian Football Federation and so they want to finish the season on a high note and winning the Europa League I think winning the competition will be one their current priorities especially now that they mathematically cannot win the tie

I don't know what happened to Arsenal during that game but if they play another 10 times against each other I am sure Arsenal will win all these 10 games.The fact that the Arsenal goalkeeper was super dumb and conceded a goal from the midfield is the main reason for Arsenal elimination.Now with Juventus though I would put an odd of Juventus at home to win at 1.25 and to qualify to next round at 1.35-1.40 as that is how easy this qualification will be for Juventus.Sporting was just lucky against Arsenal but they should know very well that luck cannot be always by your side.

Actually, I also doubt that Sporting will be able to beat Juventus in the QF round later. But overall the Portuguese team deserves appreciation because they have appeared quite solid so far. Moreover, the achievement of getting rid of Arsenal in the last 16 was a very positive result. I think if later in the first leg the two teams draw, then Sporting, who will host the leg, will have little chance of holding another draw and in the end the two teams will have to fight for tickets to the next round with extra time or penalty shootouts. But that's just my speculation and whether it will come true or not, we don't know either.