Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting prediction and betting tips January 28, 2026

By Klimentijs Konevs | Published: 28 January, 2026

Athletic Bilbao will host Sporting CP on the final matchday of the UCL league phase, with plenty still at stake for both sides. The hosts come into this match knowing they need a result to secure a place inside the top 24 and keep their play-off hopes alive.

Sporting, on the other hand, have realistic ambitions of finishing inside the top eight, currently sitting 10th in the table. Despite that, bookmakers see the Portuguese side as slight underdogs, pricing an away win at 3.20. Below, we break down both teams' Champions League journeys so far. Stay till the end to find out our betting picks for this matchup.

The Red-and-Whites are going through a difficult spell and cannot really brag about consistency right now. Since the beginning of the year, they have celebrated just two wins across all competitions: an extra-time victory over Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey and a much-needed away triumph against Atalanta. That European win was crucial, because as previously the team was held to scoreless draws against PSG and Slavia Praha. Overall, they have collected eight points, scoring seven and conceding eleven goals.

Ernesto Valverde will be short-handed, going into this match. Mikel Jauregizar is suspended, and both Aymeric Laporte and Inaki Williams are sidelined because of muscle injuries. Athletico's European run has been uneven, but the draw against PSG and the win over Atalanta have kept their hopes of staying in the competition alive.

Sporting are a side capable of surprising almost anyone on their day. They showed that once again by beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at home on the previous Champions League matchday. After seven games in the league phase, the Portuguese side have collected 13 points, with wins over PSG, Club Brugge, Marseille, and Kairat. They look fearless against elite opposition when playing on home soil.

However, their European away form tells a different story. Sporting have taken just one point from three away matches. It was a 1-1 draw against a struggling Juventus side, while defeats against Napoli and Bayern Munich exposed their difficulties on the road. Domestically, things are positive for them. Sporting sit second in the Primeira Liga and have suffered just one defeat this year. Squad-wise, captain Morten Hjulmand returns for this game after suspension, but the young defender Eduardo Quaresma remains sidelined through injury.

• Athletic Club have won four of their five home matches against Portuguese sides in Europe.
• Sporting CP have never won a competitive match in Spain, with their last visit ending in a 1-1 draw away to Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League.
• The home team has won all four previous competitive meetings between these sides across European competitions.
• Sporting are without a win in six away Champions League matches, while Athletic have lost just once in their last five games in the competition.

Athletic are right on the verge of staying in contention for the Champions League play-off places, largely thanks to their recent European results. The team has shown they know how to tune in when it matters most, especially at home. Sporting, despite sitting comfortably around the top eight, continue to struggle badly away from home in the UCL. This should be a tight and competitive contest, but Athletic Club look capable of collecting three points.

Over 2.5 goals at 1.80 looks appealing, as three or more goals were scored in all previous competitive meetings between Athletic and Sporting.

Luis Suarez to score or assist at 2.00 is worth considering. The Sporting forward has scored four goals in seven Champions League games, including a brace against PSG last time out.

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