Sporting CP and Galatasaray are set to clash in the opening match of the new UEFA Champions League league phase, with both teams entering the fixture in starkly different form.
Match | Sporting CP vs. Galatasaray |
Competition | UEFA Champions League |
Stage | League Phase |
Date | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
Kickoff Time | 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 a.m. PT |
Location | Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal |
TV Channel | Paramount+ (US) |
The Portuguese side comes into this Champions League encounter riding a wave of momentum. Sporting has been prolific in front of goal, scoring at least twice in each of their last four matches, and has maintained clean sheets in their last two outings. After a draw in their domestic league opener, the team has found the form needed for a strong start in Europe's premier competition. History also favors the home side, as Sporting has won four of their last five meetings against Turkish opposition.
In contrast, Galatasaray faces a daunting challenge. While the Turkish champions have been successful in their domestic league, their European away record is a major concern. They have managed just one victory in their last 15 matches on the road in European competitions, suffering 13 defeats. Their record against Portuguese clubs is equally troubling, with four losses in their last five encounters. Furthermore, Galatasaray has won only one of their last 10 opening matches in the Champions League, making the prospect of securing points in Lisbon a statistically formidable task.
Sporting CP vs. Galatasaray Lineup Predictions
Sporting CP
Manager: Rui Borges
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Nuno Santos, Salvador Blopa, Moncef Zekri, Ibrahima Ba, and Joao Simoes will all miss the UCL match against Galatasaray on Wednesday due to injury.
Galatasaray
Manager: Okan Buruk
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Galatasaray's star striker Victor Osimhem will miss the match due to injury, but is expected to return to the team by the end of the month. Mario Lemina, Wilfred Singo, and Gunay Guvenc are all also out with injuries against Sporting tonight.
How to Watch Sporting CP vs. Galatasaray
The match between Sporting and Galatasaray will take place on Wednesday, September 9, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
The match will be broadcast on Paramount+ for viewers in the United States. Other streaming options will be available on Fubo Sports, and CBS Sports Network.
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