Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Thursday’s Europa League game at Merkur Arena pits together Sturm Graz and Sporting CP, the two teams who meet for the first time in the competition. Sturm produced a fine display in a 2-2 draw with Salzburg in the Bundesliga derby, which is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Thursday’s encounter. Since Christian Ilzer has a luxury to field the best possible side against Sporting, we predict that the hosts are going to grab something from the match.
The Lions, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over Moreirense, but beating the in-form Austrians in Graz is easier said than done. Taking everything into account, the share of spoils is on the cards at Merkur Arena. Defender Jeremiah St. Juste should be the only absentee in the visiting team as the 26-year-old defender is still struggling with a phy discomfort.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Coates):
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 7, 1990, Sebastian Coates is a 196-cm-tall defender who plays for Sporting CP in Primeira Liga. Coates is the product of the hometown club Nacional, and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 60 appearances for the capital club in the national championship.
After ending his spell with English club Sunderland, the Uruguay international moved to Portugal, signing a loan deal with Sporting CP in January 2016. He signed a permanent contract with the Lions in February 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Sebastian Coastes made his full Uruguay debut against Chile at the 2011 Copa America. La Celeste won the trophy, with the team beating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the competition at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. Coates wears the number 4 shirt at Sporting CP, and his preferred foot is right.