CHRIS SUTTON: Tottenham can hit Sporting Lisbon where it hurts in the Champions League

The second week of the Champions League begins on Tuesday, with all English teams having taken the weekend off to pay their respects to and mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week.

Tuesday’s action sees Liverpool host Ajax less than a week after their shambolic 4-1 defeat by Napoli, and Tottenham travel to Lisbon to face Sporting having beaten Marseille 2-0 last Wednesday 

Below, Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton takes a look the two Champions League match-ups and predicts the outcomes.

Liverpool v Ajax

I kept thinking because of what Liverpool have achieved in previous seasons that it was only a blip they were in. 

But with the way Napoli won 4-1 and made Liverpool’s defence look like tourists on an Italian holiday, it has become more than that. Something’s amiss there. 

From Virgil van Dijk at the back to Mohamed Salah up front, they’ve not been clicking. 

The out-of-form Reds were thrashed 4-1 by Napoli in the Champions League last Wednesday

Liverpool’s players lapped up the praise when they were on song. Now we need to see how they respond when they’re hitting bum notes. Ajax will have a go. 

They’re fearless and beat Rangers 4-0 last week. There’s no time to waste for Liverpool to get their season back on track, but I fear Ajax will take something away from Anfield.

Score prediction: 2-2 draw

Sporting Lisbon v Tottenham

Antonio Conte doesn’t boast the greatest Champions League record. Not with Juventus, Chelsea or Inter Milan. 

You wondered whether he was getting his excuses in early when complaining about Tottenham’s fixture congestion before last week’s opening group game. 

Antonio Conte made a winning start to the Champions League as Spurs beat Marseille 2-0

Yet Spurs got off to a flyer against Marseille, an emotional Richarlison scoring twice as he continues to show why he was worth their £60million investment. 

Sporting are at home in Lisbon so I expect they’ll take the game to Tottenham, but that will suit Conte’s counter-attacking style. They have got the flying arrows who can hurt Sporting and make it two wins from two in their group. 

Score prediction: 2-1 to Tottenham