The match of round 8 of the group stage of the Champions League 2025/26 between Athletic Club (Spain) and Sporting CP (Portugal) will take place on 28 january at San Mamés stadium in Bilbao. Athletic Club vs Sporting CP: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club continue to fight for a place in the Champions League knockout phase. Although the current European campaign began with three defeats in four rounds, the home side have improved their form and standing. They are unbeaten in three European matches, and while the first two fixtures in that run ended 0:0, the club secured a dramatic come-from-behind 3:2 away win against Atalanta in midweek. The side scored for the first time in four recent Champions League games and immediately produced only one goal fewer than in the previous six rounds combined. Most importantly, Athletic Club climbed to 23rd place in the table, thereby moving into the play-off zone. Competition is extremely tight, so regardless of the result against Sporting CP the home side will need to monitor parallel fixtures.
- At least two goals were scored in 6 of the club’s last 8 Champions League matches.
- Athletic Club remained unbeaten in 8 of their previous 10 European home games (7 wins, 1 draw).
- The team conceded in 5 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-5-1)
Unai Simon – Andoni Gorosabel, Inigo Lekue, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boyro – Robert Navarro, Alex Berenguer, Mikel Vesga, Alejandro Rego Mora, Unai Gomez – Gorka Guruzeta.
The regular midfielder Mikel Jaurégui Isagar is suspended. Defenders Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte, midfielder Beñat Prados, and forwards Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams and Marouane Sannadi are unavailable due to injury.
Sporting CP
Sporting CP have alternated home wins with less impressive away performances throughout the Champions League season. The visitors collected the maximum 12 points at home, but have taken only 1 point from 9 on the road. In the previous round the club produced a genuine shock by defeating PSG thanks to a 90th-minute goal (2:1). That result leaves the Lisbon side with just one defeat in their last five Champions League matches. Sporting CP have already secured a place in the play-offs and currently sit in 10th position in the table, among eight teams on 13 points. To finish in the top eight, the visitors need to beat Athletic Club, preferably by a large margin, although the club’s fate will still depend on other results.
- The Lisbon side’s away winless run in the Champions League stretches to 6 matches (2 draws, 4 defeats).
- The team scored in all 7 previous matches of the current tournament season.
- Sporting CP have not beaten Spanish clubs in 14 consecutive away European matches.
Potential Sporting CP Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Rui Silva – Ivan Fresneda, Goncalo Inacio, Mateus Reis, Maximiliano Araujo – Morten Hjulmand, Joao Simoes – Geny Catamo, Pedro Goncalves, Francisco Trincao – Luis Suarez.
Morten Hjulmand has returned from suspension. Defender Eduardo Quaresma and midfielder Nuno Santos have recovered and are included in the matchday squad. Defender Zeno Debast, midfielders Giovani Kenda and Salvador Blopa, and forward Fotis Ioannidis are sidelined with injuries.
Referee
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 8 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow/second yellow – 22;
Average yellow/second yellow per match – 2.7;
Red cards – 5;
Fouls per match – 17;
Penalties – 38%.
Athletic Club vs Sporting CP: Match Prediction
Both sides retain very strong motivation. Both teams should be set up to win, so we are likely to see an entertaining game with a fair number of chances. Although Athletic Club do not always produce spectacle, they recently beat Atalanta in a five-goal encounter. At home in this Champions League season the home side failed to score against the giants Arsenal and PSG, but managed three goals in the match with Qarabag. Considering away fixtures as well, the defense kept a clean sheet in only 2 of the last 7 Champions League matches.
Sporting CP regularly produce open, two-sided games. The club have scored in all seven group-stage matches this season, but defensive reliability is lacking, so both teams scored in 6 of those 7 encounters. A similar trend is visible in the visitors’ away games, with goals at both ends recorded in 4 of Sporting CP’s last 5 European away matches.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
