It is Sturm who still have it all to play for, as they are battling with Rakow Czestochowa for a spot in the Europa Conference League.
The Primeira Liga leaders have nothing to play for here, even though they are only three points behind Atalanta heading into the final matchday.
A draw in Bergamo on matchday five means Sporting will overtake La Dea, as their defeat in Lisbon to the same warring sides means they are at a disadvantage.
However, Sturm’s home defeat earlier that afternoon to Rakow secured their place in the Europa League round of 16, although they will have to go through the first round.
Perhaps it was different, as Sporting had chances in the second half after equalising through Marcus Edwards, especially with Pedro Gonçalves, who had no chance to touch the inside of either post with an effort out of time.
After being knocked out of the Champions League last season, Sporting will now be among those who will face a third-placed team in that festival for a place in the round on February 16.
With nothing at stake in this match for Rubén Amorim’s team, they focus their attention on their big match against Porto this weekend.
In an eventful weekend in the Portuguese top flight, the top four are now separated by two points after Sporting and Benfica dropped points.
Sporting were beaten by the 3 Silvas in the defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes, while Tiago Silva, Andre Silva and Daniel Silva scored in the 3-2 defeat of Amorim’s men.
Sturm will be looking to draw inspiration from this role and that of compatriots LASK Linz, who won here 4-1 in 2020.
Having won their last six home games against Austrian opposition, it was a big surprise at the time, but Sporting will be confident that their matchday one win against Sturm will be their first on Austrian soil.
The odds are not in Sturm’s favour, although they are the team that has some rest to take from this match, having won only two of their last 15 away games in Europe.
A wonderful 1-0 defeat at home to European debutants Rakow two weeks ago blew up the race for third place, and now it will all come down to goal difference after the effects on their two group fixtures.
Sturm’s goal difference has improved lately, so all they want to do to secure a position in the UECL is to match Rakow’s result against Atalanta.
It was a point behind against an Atalanta that has lately been demonstrating its effectiveness in the fight for Sturm’s 3rd place, when it found itself with 10 men and was reeling a lot.
It will also be the Austrian team’s last game until February. Coach Christian Ilzer hopes his team can come out in style before the long winter break, with European football in sight in the new year.
A massive rotation of Amorim to his Sporting is expected here, given the magnitude of the match they will play this weekend.
Among the players expected to be rested are the influential Gonçalves and the more sensible goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres, as the coach is even tempted to do without some players from his “B” team.
On the side, Ivan Fresneda is out with a shoulder and Jeremiah St Juste is still recovering from an ankle he suffered against Gil Vicente earlier this month.
Daniel Braganca is also absent for the hosts, with the winger expected to return until 2024 with a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Sturm will be at full throttle for this one in his last game in two months, and they still have to play.
The one injury concern is a big one, though, as defender Gregory Wuthrich is absent with a knee injury that will keep him out until the end of the winter break.
Dimitri Lavalee will most likely drop back from midfield to defence, but the midfielder’s cost has been eased with the recent return of Otar Kiteishvili, who made his first start since October at the weekend.
Seedy Jatta also had a welcome return to the team, scoring the goal in their win over Altach after six games out due to a muscle problem. Possible starting XI for Sporting Lisbon: Israel; Eduardo Quaresma, Luis Neto, Matheus Reis; Ricardo Esgaio, Essugo, Hjulmand, Nuno Santos; Geny Catamo, Paulinho, Trincão
Sturm Graz possible starting lineup:Scherpen; Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Lavalee, Schnegg; Prass, Gorenc-Stankovic, Kiteishvili, Horvat; Sarkaria, Jatta
With Sporting facing the most powerful team Amorim has at their disposal, a number of tweaks may offer the visitors a chance.
With Sturm motivated to get a result that will allow him to make his European season bigger, it is possible that they will simply exploit a potentially heavily altered sports team that perhaps has an eye on their upcoming clash against Porto. For information on results, scores and more likely results, more on this match, please click here.