The UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 League Phase features a high-stakes Matchday 5 contest as Sporting CP hosts Club Brugge KV at the Estádio José Alvalade. Scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025, this fixture is pivotal for both clubs’ knockout stage aspirations. Sporting CP, managed by Rúi Borges, is in a strong position, sitting in 13th position with 7 points from four matches.
A home victory would put the Lions on the verge of securing a place in the top 16. Club Brugge KV, led by Nicky Hayen, occupies 22nd position with 4 points. The Belgian side desperately needs a result in Lisbon to climb out of the bottom half of the table and stay firmly in contention for the knockout play-offs (top 24). This match pits Sporting’s authoritative home form and exceptional dribbling against Club Brugge’s attacking ambition and ongoing defensive vulnerabilities, promising an open and high-scoring affair.
Match Details
This midweek encounter is a crucial tie with both teams fighting to position themselves favorably for the final matchday of the League Phase.
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Phase | League Phase – Matchday 5 |
| Date | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
| Kick-off | 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET) |
| Venue | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal |
Team Form and Analysis for Sporting CP
Unbeaten Run and Home European Authority
Sporting CP currently holds 13th position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 7 points from four matches, a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss.
The Lions‘ European campaign has been marked by strong home performances, securing authoritative victories over Kairat Almaty (4-1) and Marseille (2-1) at the Estádio José Alvalade. Sporting is aiming to win their first three home matches in a single edition of the competition for the first time. Their overall form is excellent, arriving in this match unbeaten in nine across all competitions since an away loss to Napoli. Manager Rúi Borges’s side is characterized by exceptional dribbling ability, having completed 48 successful dribbles in four Champions League matches—the most of any team in the competition. The team’s tactical focus involves high pressing and quick transitions, with many of their goals arriving late in matches. They recently secured a comfortable 3-0 cup win over Marinhense. Key player Hidemasa Morita is a doubt due to injury, but the squad otherwise remains mostly available.
Key Player: Pedro Gonçalves
Midfielder Pedro Gonçalves (also known as ‘Pote’) is the creative and goalscoring heartbeat of the Sporting CP side. He is one of the team’s top Champions League scorers with two goals this season, alongside Francisco Trincão. Pote excels in linking midfield and attack, possessing superb vision, movement, and a deadly eye for goal. Given Club Brugge’s tendency to concede, Gonçalves’s ability to find space, execute through balls, and finish from midfield will be the primary source of threat for the home side. His dynamic contribution is expected to be vital in securing a crucial victory.
Team Form and Analysis for Club Brugge KV
Defensive Leaks and Attacking Ambition
Club Brugge KV currently occupies 22nd position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 4 points from four matches, recording one win, one draw, and two losses.
The Belgian side started their European campaign strongly with a win against Monaco but has struggled since, losing to Atalanta and Bayern Munich before a chaotic 3-3 home draw with Barcelona on Matchday 4. This match highlighted their defining trend: significant attacking threat but major defensive vulnerabilities. Club Brugge has now gone nine consecutive Champions League matches without a clean sheet, conceding 21 goals in that run. Their away form in the competition is a major concern, having lost their last three away fixtures and shipping nine goals. Domestically, they arrive on a high after a narrow 1-0 victory over Charleroi. Manager Nicky Hayen’s system is highly offensive, contributing to the competition’s highest ball-in-play time, which often leads to multi-goal matches. They face a cluster of injury concerns, including first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and defender Bjorn Meijer.
Key Player: Hans Vanaken
Veteran captain and attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken remains the tactical and creative anchor for Club Brugge. The Belgian international provides essential experience and quality in the final third. Vanaken’s excellent passing range, ability to dictate the tempo of the attack, and crucial late runs into the box make him the most consistent threat against organized defenses. Despite the team’s defensive struggles, Vanaken’s creativity and leadership will be necessary to control the ball in Lisbon and supply dangerous passes to his fellow attackers to exploit any openings in Sporting’s defense.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
The clubs have a limited but notable history in European competition, including a recent meeting in the Champions League.
| Metric | Sporting CP Wins | Draws | Club Brugge KV Wins |
| Total Competitive Meetings | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Last Champions League Meeting (Dec 2024) | Club Brugge KV 2-1 Sporting CP (H) | ||
| Sporting CP Home Record vs Belgian Opp. | W3, D1, L0 (Last 4 games) |
The two clubs have met three times previously, including a 2-1 victory for Club Brugge in the Champions League League Phase last season. Their overall competitive record stands at one win each and one draw. Historically, Portuguese clubs have dominated recent Champions League encounters with Belgian teams, winning ten of the last twelve. Furthermore, Sporting CP has an excellent home record against Belgian opposition, remaining unbeaten in four such fixtures. The balance of history slightly favors Sporting at home, despite the recent loss to Brugge away.
Players to Watch
Sporting CP
- Ousmane Diomande (Central Defender): The highly-rated defender is key to Sporting’s buildup play and defensive solidity. His ability to initiate attacks with line-breaking passes and his defensive awareness will be critical for controlling the game.
- Luis Suárez (Striker): The Colombian forward is Sporting’s main attacking spearhead. He is known for his high volume of shots and will be key in capitalizing on the space created by Trincão and Gonçalves, particularly in the second half where Sporting tends to score most of its goals.
Club Brugge KV
- Nicolò Tresoldi (Striker): The young Italian striker is one of the team’s top scorers in the Champions League this season with two goals. His quick movement and finishing ability are essential for converting chances created by the midfield.
- Christos Tzolis (Winger): The Greek winger provides pace and a direct threat on the left flank. His ability to take on defenders and deliver dangerous crosses will be vital for challenging Sporting’s full-backs and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Prediction
Sporting CP enters this match with overwhelming home advantage, strong momentum from their nine-game unbeaten run, and authoritative Champions League performances in Lisbon. Club Brugge KV, despite showcasing genuine attacking quality (notably in their 3-3 draw with Barcelona), are plagued by defensive lapses and an alarming away record in Europe, having lost their last three Champions League away games. Given Sporting’s superior overall form, attacking efficiency at home, and the visitors’ defensive vulnerabilities, the Portuguese side is heavily favored to secure a crucial victory that will solidify their place in the knockout rounds.
Score Prediction: Sporting CP 3-1 Club Brugge KV
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This UEFA Champions League League Phase fixture is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms globally.
The match kicks off on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET).
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 8 and a live stream will be available on Discovery+.
In the United States (US), the match will be available to watch and stream live on Paramount+ and ViX.
In Portugal, the match will be broadcast live on Eleven Sports.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions, as the match will be shown across the UEFA Champions League’s international broadcast partners globally.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
