Sporting CP vs PSG predictions and betting tips – Holders resume Champions League defence

Having won the Champions League for the first time in their history last season, Paris Saint-Germain will not give up the trophy without a fight.

Luis Enrique’s side are well positioned to qualify directly for the round of 16, but the manager will have spent the last few days ensuring his players do not take anything for granted.

• Back a PSG win – 7/9 with 247Bet
• Choose over 3.5 goals – 6/4 with Betfred
• Go for Ousmane Dembele to score any time – 5/4 with SBK

Sporting CP vs PSG odds

Find the latest Sporting CP vs PSG betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Sporting CP vs PSG predictions

Paris Saint-Germain finally ended their quest for a Champions League title last season and they are now seeking to become only the second team in the modern era to retain the prize.

Real Madrid are the only side to have won consecutive Champions Leagues since Europe’s premier tournament was rebranded in 1992.

It is too early to say whether PSG will join Madrid in that elite club. We cannot read too much into the league phase, which is almost entirely separate from the more important knockout rounds.

For instance, PSG had to go through the play-offs last term after failing to even get close to a top-eight finish. Yet it was they who were celebrating at the end of the continental campaign.

Still, the signs for PSG so far have been broadly positive. They are third in the table heading into matchday seven after collecting 13 points from the first 18 on offer. Only Arsenal and Bayern Munich have better records than Luis Enrique’s outfit.

PSG have not been perfect. They lost at home to Bayern in a titanic tussle between two of the strongest sides in Europe. In their most recent Champions League outing, PSG were held to a goalless draw by Athletic Bilbao.

But Luis Enrique’s team showed their qualities in triumphs over Atalanta (4-0), Barcelona (2-1), Bayer Leverkusen (7-2) and Tottenham Hotspur (5-3). No team in the competition can better their return of 19 goals, while only Arsenal have a superior goal difference.

The PSG boss registered his 100th victory as PSG manager at the weekend, as his side beat Lille 3-0. 

The Parisians are not currently top of Ligue 1. Lens are having a fantastic season and they currently have one more point to their name than PSG. But now they have come out the other side of an injury crisis, PSG are aiming to rule both at home and abroad in 2026.

“Our goal is very, very ambitious. We have players and a club who want to keep winning, and we have fans who deserve many victories,” Luis Enrique said last summer. 

“It’s very difficult to achieve, because we already see that everyone is playing with a special motivation against us. 

“So, it’s a very nice challenge for us. Everyone wants to play against us and beat us. Everyone speaks well of us, which is nice, but at the same time, we’re trying to improve, taking advantage of that confidence.”

Sporting CP vs PSG betting tips

Sporting CP host PSG on matchday seven of the Champions League.

PSG to get job done

Sporting CP can still finish in the top eight or outside the top 24, yet they will more than likely end the league phase in a play-off position.

That does not mean they have nothing to play for, however. Finishing between ninth and 16th is ideal for play-off entrants since that means they would be seeded in the draw.

Sporting will also view this as an opportunity to take a scalp and make a statement of intent against the holders.

But while the hosts will give as good as they have got, PSG’s superior individual talent should ultimately make the difference.

Luis Enrique’s men will probably come out on top in Lisbon, so make this your first selection.

Back a PSG win at 7/9 with 247Bet

Entertainment in store

PSG dazzled on their way to Champions League success in 2024/25 and they have been highly watchable again this season.

Their six matches up to now have averaged 4.5 goals per 90 minutes. Only Borussia Dortmund’s games have been more entertaining by that measure.

Sporting CP have scored 12 goals in their six games, demonstrating that they too carry a threat in forward areas.

It is hard to see this being a dull encounter given both teams like to play on the front foot whenever possible. We should be treated to at least four strikes on Tuesday.

Choose over 3.5 goals at 6/4 with Betfred

Dembele to score again

Ousmane Dembele scored one of the goals of the season so far in his last appearance for PSG.

The France international manoeuvred the ball past Lille defenders Nathan Ngoy and Aissa Mandi, then chipped it over the head of the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Dembele has been in and out of the team due to injury this term, but PSG will hope he stays fit from now until the end of the campaign.

The Ballon d’Or holder is a difference-maker on his day, and we like his chances of making the net ripple when PSG take on Sporting CP this week.

Go for Ousmane Dembele to score any time at 5/4 with SBK

Sporting CP vs PSG predicted lineups

• Sporting CP expected lineup: Silva; Araujo, Inacio, Reis, Fresneda; Morita, Simoes; Guilherme, Trincao, Catamo; Suarez.
• PSG expected lineup: Chevalier; Mendes, Marquinhos, Pacho, Araujo; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue.

Where to watch Sporting CP vs PSG

• Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Date and time: Tuesday 20th January, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 4.

More Champions League predictions

We have plenty more Champions League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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