Rafael Nogueira
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Sporting CP host LASK Linz in the UEFA Champions League, and the predicted lineups for both sides raise an obvious selection question: how will each manager cover for the players they are missing ahead of kickoff on Wednesday 21 October 2026? With Rodrigo Zalazar and Nuno Santos sidelined for the hosts and a trio of absentees for the Austrians, the team news below shapes much of what each manager can realistically do.
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Sporting CP Predicted XI
Rui Borges is expected to set Sporting CP up in a 4-2-3-1, the formation he has preferred, for this match. The projection is built from only two recent line-ups, so it should be treated as tentative rather than settled fact. Even so, the side that emerges looks largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match. Iván Fresneda and Gonçalo Inácio have started both of the matches used here, making them the two most reliable names in the projected back line.
Sporting CP predicted XI: Kaique Pereira Azarias; Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma, Maximiliano Araujo; Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia, João Simões, Silas Andersen, Pedro Lima Barros; Geny Catamo
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 30 | Kaique Pereira Azarias | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 22 | Iván Fresneda | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 25 | Gonçalo Inácio | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 72 | Eduardo Quaresma | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 20 | Maximiliano Araujo | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 5 | Sergi Altimira | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 77 | Issa Doumbia | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 8 | João Simões | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 4 | Silas Andersen | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 21 | Pedro Lima Barros | 0/2 | 0/2 |
| F | 10 | Geny Catamo | 2/2 | 2/2 |
LASK Linz Predicted Lineup
Dietmar Kühbauer’s LASK Linz are projected to line up in a 3-4-1-2, his preferred formation, built from the last five line-ups available. That expected XI is also largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match. João Victor Tornich has started all five matches used in this projection, while goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth has started four of the five, underlining how settled Kühbauer’s spine looks before kickoff.
LASK Linz predicted XI: Lukas Jungwirth; João Victor Tornich, Yvan Dibango, Xavier Mbuyamba; Melayro Bogarde, Robert Ljubicic, Sascha Horvath, Florian Flecker, Samuel Adeniran; Christoph Lang, Sasa Kalajdzic
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 5 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Lukas Jungwirth | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 43 | João Victor Tornich | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 25 | Yvan Dibango | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Xavier Mbuyamba | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| M | 6 | Melayro Bogarde | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 10 | Robert Ljubicic | 4/5 | 2/3 |
| M | 30 | Sascha Horvath | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| M | 29 | Florian Flecker | 3/5 | 1/3 |
| M | 7 | Samuel Adeniran | 2/5 | 2/3 |
| F | 27 | Christoph Lang | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| F | 11 | Sasa Kalajdzic | 2/5 | 2/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Rodrigo Zalazar and Nuno Santos are out injured, a blow that thins Sporting CP’s midfield and defensive options respectively. Of those waiting on the bench, Nestory Irankunda has started the most matches recently and looks the likeliest option to step into the side if a change is needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo Zalazar | M | injured | Wound |
| Nuno Santos | D | injured | Muscle bruise |
Ramiz Harakaté is out injured, while kebe cheikne and Art Smakaj are unavailable through suspension, leaving LASK Linz short across attack, defence and midfield all at once. Andres Andrade has the most starts among the available bench options and is best placed to come into the side.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| kebe cheikne | D | suspended | Off the roster |
| Art Smakaj | M | suspended | Off the roster |
| Ramiz Harakaté | F | injured | Jumpers knee |
How We Predict These XIs
These predicted lineups are built from each side’s most recent matches – two for Sporting CP and five for LASK Linz – with more recent appearances weighted more heavily than older ones. Players confirmed injured or suspended, such as those listed above, are removed before the projection is built. This is not an official team sheet; it is our best estimate of each side’s expected XI, and it can change once the two managers confirm their actual selections closer to kickoff.
Read Also: Sporting CP vs LASK Prediction: 21.10.2026 UEFA Champions League Preview
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Sporting CP vs LASK Linz?
Kaique Pereira Azarias is projected in goal for Sporting CP, with Lukas Jungwirth expected to start between the posts for LASK Linz.
What formation will each side use in the predicted lineups?
Sporting CP are projected in a 4-2-3-1 under Rui Borges, while LASK Linz are expected to set up in Dietmar Kühbauer’s preferred 3-4-1-2.
Who is unavailable for Sporting CP and LASK Linz?
Sporting CP are without Rodrigo Zalazar and Nuno Santos through injury. LASK Linz are missing Ramiz Harakaté through injury and kebe cheikne and Art Smakaj through suspension.
When do Sporting CP and LASK Linz play, and where can I see the predicted lineups and team news?
Sporting CP host LASK Linz on Wednesday 21 October 2026, with the full predicted lineups and team news for both sides set out above.