Sporting host Galatasaray in the opening round of Champions League fixtures, with the Portuguese club looking to build on a quarter-final appearance in the last edition of this competition.

The match will kick-off at 05:00am. AEST on Thursday, September 10, at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. But which side will be leaving the stadium the happiest?

Quick Picks

Our pick: Sporting -1

Value bet: Over 3.5 total goals

Long shot: Sporting to win, Luis Suárez to score, and over 2.5 total goals

Betting Preview

Home form was the foundation of Sporting’s success in the Champions League last season. They won five of their six Champions League matches at Estádio José Alvalade last term, including impressive wins over PSG and Marseille.

The Alvalade has become a genuine fortress, and while it does not rank among the world's biggest football venues, its atmosphere is well worth appreciating.

In stark contrast, Galatasaray have a terrible away record in this competition. The Turkish outfit have won only two of their last 26 matches on the road, with 21 defeats in that period. They have also failed to score on 15 occasions.

Turkish teams have only won one of their last 14 matches away to Portuguese opposition.

After drawing their opening match of the league season, Sporting have found good form domestically with four consecutive wins. Luis Suárez, who scored 33 goals across Liga Portugal and the Champions League last term, has already found the net on four occasions.

Galatasaray have also won three matches in a row. Goals have been flying in at both ends, with their last two victories coming by the scoreline of 3-2. The Lions have scored 12 goals in their first four league matches.

While Sporting have a clean bill of health for this fixture, Galatasaray are without Günay Güvenç, Mario Lemina, Victor Osimhen, and Wilfried Singo through injury, and have several other players absent due to eligibility issues.

Betting Markets To Watch

Given some of the facts above, it’s unsurprising to see that Sporting are favourites to win in the UCL betting markets.

But bettors looking for some value could turn their attention to a same-game multi of Sporting to win, Luis Suárez to score, and over 2.5 total goals.

Colombian Suárez has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in world soccer over the last 18 months, and was involved in seven of Sporting’s 22 Champions League goals last season, scoring five and assisting twice.

Sporting are a free-scoring team, and this Galatasaray defence has leaked goals at the start of this campaign.

Over 3.5 total goals has landed in four of Sporting’s five matches to start this season. That market has cashed in all four of Galatasaray’s matches – there has been an average of 4.5 goals per match in Galatasaray’s fixtures.

Galatasaray’s poor away record and Sporting’s stellar home record means we like the look of Sporting -1 in the handicap markets. Sporting have covered that spread in their last three matches.

Our Prediction

Check out the latest Sporting vs Galatasary betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction is that Sporting will win a high-scoring affair in the early hours of Thursday morning.

We think there’s value to be found backing both teams to score and over 3.5 total goals, along with wagering on the unstoppable Suárez to find the net.

Neither of these teams have had any trouble finding the net so far this term, but both defences have conceded goals.

We think Galatasaray’s attack, even without Osimhen, should be able to create chances against this Sporting team, despite the hosts coming off back-to-back clean sheets in Liga Portugal.

This fixture is part of a packed slate on Champions League matchday one. Soccer fans can also find Liverpool vs Atletico odds and Napoli vs Arsenal betting odds at Sportsbet.