(Football news) Sporting Lisbon welcome Juventus to Estadio Jose Alvalade for the Europa League quarter-final decider. They were unfortunately beaten by a Federico Gatti’s second-half goal in Turin as the Portuguese side is without a win from their last four home games in Europe. Meanwhile, Juve have suffered two successive Serie A defeats but subsequently won each of their last four matches in Europe without conceding a goal. Sporting have now failed to win on any of their last 16 visits against a Serie A sides

Ruben Amorim’s side’s form has improved remarkably over the past two months as they beat league leaders Arsenal and Midtjylland in the Europa League. They are sitting fourth in the Portuguese league but mainly they remain outside the Champions League qualification place after a disappointing draw with Arouca. Pedro Goncalves scored from the spot to salvage a point as the Portuguese youngster will be the key against a fragile Juventus defence. Sporting will certainly need to halt that unfortunate run of losing five games straight at Alvalade would certainly bring elimination.

Juventus have lost their last two away matches against Portuguese opponents but just avoiding defeat this week would see through to a major semi-final. They are also into the last four of the Coppa Italia but in the Serie A this season, they have been hampered by a 15-point penalty for financial misdemeanours, Juve are seventh in the table and are subsequently nine points adrift of Milan. Max Allegri’s men face old rivals Inter in the Coppa Italia final. The Bianconeri have won their last four matches in Europe without conceding a goal, which is their best run since 2013.

Nantes and Freiburg have been easy match ups for Juventus as they entered the Europa League’s knockout stages via a third-place finish in Champions League Group H. If Juventus win they set up a mouth watering semi clash against either Manchester United or Sevilla. Going on to lift the Europa League in next month’s final in Budapest would also offer them a route back to the Champions League but despite holding a slim first-leg a tough match against Sporting side still stands in their way.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Inacio, Coates, Diomande; Esgaio, Goncalves, Morita, Reis; Edwards, Chermiti, Trincao

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Vlahovic

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