Aberdeen's Europa League tie with Viking Stavanger has taken on even greater significance, with depleted Sporting reporting 10 positive coronavirus tests.
Derek McInnes ' side are in Viking Stavanger tomorrow for their second qualifying round tie, and would face the Portuguese giants if they progress.
They'd have to face Sporting in Lisbon, but that tie could prove less daunting as the Portuguese giants suffer a COVID-19 outbreak ahead of their league opener.
Coach Ruben Amorim is in isolation after testing positive for the virus just days before their league opener against Gil Vicente on Saturday.
A staff member and eight unnamed players have also returned positive tests, though all 10 are said to be asymptomatic.
They will all have to quarantine and therefore will not be present for the first league match.
And with the third qualifying round to be played next week, Aberdeen could well face a second string Sporting side if they can progress against Viking on Thursday.
There's also the possibility of a forfeit if the spread cannot be contained.
Sporting will have to provide a list of players who have been tested and are eligible to play in the third qualifying round.
However, if a player from that group returned two positive test results in consecutive days the tie could be cancelled.
That fate has already befallen Slovan Bratislava, who forfeited their Champions League first qualifying round tie against Faroe Islands side KI Klaksvik.
