Europa: Sporting looking to prevent all-Spanish final

When Sporting will play against Athletic Club in the second leg of Europa league, the visitors will have to be at their best trying for a spot in the Europa League final and to avoid an all-Spanish encounter. Sporting go into this game with 1-0 narrow but valuable first leg advantage. They will find their task at the Estadio San Mames very tough though.

After the first leg, Sporting has won against Nacional by 3-2, who is at the seventh position in the Portugse Primiera Liga points table. This has certainly increased their confidence ahead of the second leg.

On the other hand, Bilbao have been very impressive throughout the Europa League. The Spanish side continued their remarkable run with an impressive 6-4 aggregate win over German side Schalke in the quarter-final and will certainly make things difficult for Sa Pinto’s side.

The away form of the visitors could be a concern for them as they have won only one match in their last ten away matches. Further, Sporting will be absolutely aware of the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s men are unbeaten in their last eight matches on their home turf and in the last two Europa League home matches they have overpowered Manchester United and have managed a draw against Schalke. 
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