Having been fortunate to snatch a late draw in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs, Sporting Lisbon turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they go head to head with Chaves on Monday.
The Flavienses are currently unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira and will set out to complete an impressive league double over the visitors after picking up a 2-0 victory in August's reverse fixture.
Match preview
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Chaves finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they picked up their first win of 2023 when they held their own to secure a 2-1 home victory over Maritimo on February 5.
In that encounter, early strikes from Euller and former Porto man Steven Vitoria set the hosts on their way before Claudio Winck pulled one back for Jose Manuel Gomes's men.
Prior to that, Chaves were on an eight-game winless run across all competitions — picking up four draws and losing four — a run which saw them crash out in the group stages of the League Cup.
However, Vitor Campelos's side failed to build on their victory over Maritimo as they were held to a goalless draw by Vizela when the sides squared off at the Estadio do FC Vizela on Friday.
Chaves have now picked up six wins, eight draws and lost six of their 20 matches to collect 26 points and sit ninth in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with Vizela and Boavista.
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Sporting Lisbon, on the other hand, were denied a winning start to their Europa League campaign as they could only salvage a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland last Thursday.
In an action-packed contest at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, substitute Emam Ashour broke the deadlock 10 minutes after his introduction to put the Danish outfit ahead before Sebastian Coates scored a 94th-minute header to force a share of the spoils.
Ruben Amorim's men had spent the first half of the season competing in the Champions League, where they managed just two wins and picked up seven points from six matches to finish third in Group D.
Before next Thursday's Europa League playoff second-leg trip to the MCH Arena, the Leoes must attend to business in the Primeira Liga, where they will be looking to return to winning ways after losing 2-1 against rivals Porto last weekend.
Prior to the defeat to Sergio Conceicao's side, Sporting Lisbon were on a three-game winning streak in the league and on a run of 10 points from a possible 12 since a shock 2-1 loss against Maritimo in their opening game of the year.
With 38 points from 20 matches, Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, eight points adrift of third-placed Braga in the Champions League qualifying playoff spot.
Team News
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Chaves will be without 25-year-old full-back Bruno Langa, who will serve a one-game ban after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Vizela.
On the injury front, Campelos will be unable to call upon the services of Jonathan Arriba (muscle), Luther Singh (muscle) and Hector Hernandez (knee), who are all recuperating from injuries.
Nigerian midfielder Nwankwo Obioro has missed each of the last two matches through a muscle problem, while Joao Correia has also been sidelined through injury.
Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon will be without midfielder Daniel Braganca, who has been out of action since last May when he sustained a cruciate ligament rupture.
Hidemasa Morita is set to sit out his third consecutive game through a muscle problem, while Portuguese youngster Dario Essugo picked up a muscle injury in December.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Vitor; Sylla, Vitoria, Ponck, Guilherme; Teixeira, Pedro, Mendes; Euller, Sousa, Vieira
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Inacio, Coates, Reis; Bellerin, Goncalves, Ugarte, Fatawu; Edwards, Trincao, Chermiti
We say: Chaves 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon have put together a fine run of form away from home, claiming four wins and one draw in their last six matches. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing the Leoes to claim all three points.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
