Sporting CP v Tottenham predicted XIs: Team news as Spurs reacquaint with Pochettino’s ‘mini-Messi’

Sporting CP and Tottenham are both looking to make Champions League history when they meet on Tuesday at 5:45pm (UK time).

Following a 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one, Sporting are looking to win their first two matches in a Champions League season for the first time ever.

As for Spurs, they are looking to record Champions League wins in each of their first two matches in the competition in a single season for the first time since 2017/18 under Mauricio Pochettino.

Sporting CP team news vs Tottenham: 

• Out: Jovane Cabral

Ruben Amorim shouldn’t make too many changes from the side which ran out 0-3 winners at Eintracht Frankfurt, which means former Tottenham youngster Marcus Edwards should lead their forward line. Edwards – who played once for Spurs in the League Cup against Gillingham in September 2016 – became the first Englishman to score for a Portuguese club in the Champions League.

While coming up, ex-Spurs boss Pochettino would lavish praise on Edwards after watching him play in several youth matches. “The qualities – it’s only looks, his body and the way that he plays – remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi,” he said in September 2016

Predicted Sporting CP XI vs Tottenham:

• (3-4-3): Adán; St. Juste, Coates, Inácio; Porro, Morita, Ugarte, Reis; Trincão, Edwards, Gonçalves.

Tottenham team news vs Sporting CP: 

• Out: Lucas Moura

Both of Spurs’ goals against Marseille in their 2-0 win last time out were headers from crosses (both scored by Richarlison), the first time an English side have scored multiple goals in this fashion in a Champions League game since Manchester City in November 2017 (two against Napoli). Richarlison undoubtedly impressed Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte.

“I’m very happy for Richi. He deserved to have a night like this,” Conte told reporters after the game. “I remember when we signed him he said I can’t wait to hear the Champions League music and play in this competition. Not many words but important words for me. Today, I remembered this and I said to him, Richi I remembered what you said, this is your chance and you deserved this. Enjoy this and try to do your best. He did his best, and he helped us get three points in a difficult game.”

Predicted Tottenham XI vs Sporting CP:

• (3-4-1-2): Lloris; Romero, Lenglet, Dier; Emerson Royal, Bentancur, Höjbjerg, Perisic; Son, Richarlison, Kane.