The Estadio Jose Alvalade is the stage for this highly-anticipated encounter as Sporting and Man City go head-to-head in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg his Tuesday. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.

The only European meeting between both sides dates back to the 2011/2012 season when the Portuguese outfit eliminated Manchester City in the Europa League last 16 stage.

The Cityzens eyeing first leg advantage

Three losses in the group stage weren't enough to stop Sporting from the knockouts as the Portuguese champions finished second behind Ajax in Group C. They beat Borussia to the punch, edging the German club with a superior goal difference to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League knockouts for the first time since the 2008/2009 campaign. In their most recent game, they held league leaders Porto to a 2-2 draw in a chaotic game where we saw the referee show red to five players. This didn't bode well for Sporting's bid to defend the league title given that Porto still has a six-point league on them. Although this is surely a cause for concern, their primary focus would be on securing the first-leg advantage as the Cityzens come visiting this Tuesday.

Ever since becoming a European superpower, the UEFA Champions League trophy has eluded the Cityzens. Although they've been coming close, they've never been as close as they were last season when they lost to Chelsea in the final at Porto's Estadio do Dragao. Whether they would lose in Portugal yet again is left to be seen, they head into this game in a superb form failing to win just one in their last 12 matches in all competitions. A Raheem Sterling hattrick and a solitary goal from Phil Foden made sure of a 4-0 win against Norwich City last weekend, thus maintaining their lead at the Premier League summit last weekend and although the Portuguese champions would most likely be a bigger fish to fry compared to the Canaries, Pep's charges would be confident heading into this game.

Sporting vs Man City Team News

Sporting possible starting XI:

Adan; Inacio, Coates, Feddal; Porro, Nunes, Palhinha, Reis; Sarabia, Paulinho, Goncalves

Man City possible starting XI:

Ederson; Stones, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; B Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling

Sporting vs Man City Prediction: 2-1

Sporting's performances this season isn't something to be overlooked and as such, we expect them to be tough to beat, however, we expect a well-oiled Manchester City side to come out on top in this first leg.