Young Boys will host Sporting at the Wankdorf Stadion on Thursday in the first leg of their 2023-24 UEFA Europa League playoff round

Young Boys and Sporting Lisbon shift their focus to the Europa League last 16 clash, setting aside their domestic aspirations. Young Boys, after being relegated from the Champions League, aim to bounce back from a challenging group stage. Despite leading the Swiss league, a recent draw hindered their chance to extend their lead. Nonetheless, they remain determined as they prepare to face Sporting Lisbon, hoping to replicate their previous Europa League success despite their defeat to Ajax in 2021.

Sporting Lisbon earned their spot in the Europa League last 16 despite falling three points short of Atalanta in Group D. Their 2-1 loss at home to Atalanta proved pivotal in the final standings. With three wins in six group stage matches, Sporting Lisbon believes they have the capability to secure an advantage in the first leg of the playoffs. Building on last season's quarterfinal appearance, achieved through a memorable victory over Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon enters this fixture in impeccable form. They come off the back of three consecutive comfortable wins, including a resounding 5-0 victory over Sporting Braga in their latest outing. Scoring 16 goals and conceding none in their last three matches, Sporting Lisbon is riding a wave of momentum. Their impressive away record, winning five of their last six matches on the road, instills confidence as they travel to Switzerland for this pivotal encounter.

Sporting Lisbon boast more quality than their hosts, and while they are unlikely to go all out for a big victory with a home leg looming, we still fancy Amorim's men to come out on top on Thursday.

Prediction：Young Boys 1-2 Sporting Lisbo

Young Boys vs Sporting Lisbon stream and TV listing

Gambia：SuperSport MáXimo 3DStv

Poland：Viaplay Poland

International：Score808 808ball