Athletic next to challenge Sporting home record

Sporting Clube de Portugal have won every game at the José Alvalade since Ricardo Sá Pinto took charge in February, a run which will be severely tested by a vibrant Athletic Club.

Athletic Club provide the latest threat to Sporting Clube de Portugal's unblemished home record under Ricardo Sá Pinto when they arrive in Lisbon for Thursday's UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg.

Since Sá Pinto succeeded Domingos Paciência as coach of the Lions in mid-February Sporting have recorded eight successive victories in the capital, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one – a penalty – in the process.

Though their form on the road has not been as good – they have won one, drawn two and lost three – the likes of Legia Warszawa, Manchester City FC, FC Metalist Kharkiv and title-chasing SL Benfica have all come undone within the confines of the Estádio José Alvalade.