High-flying Sporting Lisbon play host to Italian giants Lazio in what should be an enthralling encounter at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Having gotten tired of looking at Porto and Benfica winning all domestic trophies, Sporting Lisbon chiefs have invested piles of cash this summer, trying to create a competitive squad.

Oguchi Onyewu, Stijn Schaars, Alberto Rodriguez, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Diego Rubio, Jeffren Suarez, Luis Aguiar, Valeri Bojinov, Diego Capel, Emiliano Insua an Elias all arrived, but the Lions continued to struggle.

Following the very poor start to the season, Domingos Paciencia’s side have finally started to show some improvement, recording four straight wins in all competitions, including the away triumph over Zurich in their opening Europa League game.

The Lions are flying high following the impressive run of results and they are 2.10 (11/10) with Ladbrokes to make it five in a row.

Starting centre-back Alberto Rodriguez is a doubt with a muscle injury and he could be replaced by Anderson Polga. Daniel Carico, on the other hand, has resumed training and will be available for selection.

Midfielder Elias is cup-tied, having already played for Atletico Madrid in the competition, whereas Matias Fernandez is a doubt with a thigh injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Patricio – Pereira, Onyewu, Polga, Insua – Pereirinha, Schaars, Rinaudo, Capel – Van Wolfswinkel, Carrillo.

Lazio, too, have significantly reinforced the squad for the new season after showing a lot of promise last term, but things haven’t run smoothly for Edy Reja’s side.

The Biancocelesti started well, but then recorded back to back slip ups against Vaslui and Genoa, which was enough for their fans to start calling for Reja’s resignation.

There was clearly no reason to do so, as the team proved by winning in Cesena and sharing spoils with traditionally difficult opponent Palermo.

The Biancocelesti now need to try and make amends for the slip up against Vaslui, and seeing they are much more experienced side than Sporting, I was really surprised to see Betfair paying 3.85 (57/20) on away win.

Miroslav Klose and Matuzalem are rated doubtful for the clash at Jose Alvalade, but the good news is that Stefan Radu returns to contention after the lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Lorik Cana returned into action at Renzo Barbera, but Gianluca Biava and Stefano Mauri remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Marchetti – Konko, Diakite, Dias, Radu – Ledesma, Cana – Gonzalez, Hernanes, Cisse – Klose.