Preview: Nacional vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups

Sporting Lisbon head into their contest with Nacional on Thursday evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga standings to seven points.

Meanwhile, Nacional welcome the frontrunners to the Madeira Stadium sitting in ninth position after their recent win over Tondela.

Match preview

When playing host to Braga at the weekend, Sporting were at risk of seeing their lead reduced at the top of the table and fourth-placed Braga moving to within two points.

However, second-half goals from Pedro Goncalves and Matheus Nunes earned their club a 2-0 victory, and it has left Sporting four points ahead of the chasing pack.

While Porto and Benfica have the quality to close down the current pacesetters, seeing Sporting extend their unbeaten start to 12 matches has kept the pressure on the nation's most high-profile clubs.

Ruben Amorim will refuse to get carried away by his side's ruthless streak in the top flight, but every win going forward will leave their nearest rivals unable to slip up in their own fixtures.

Amorin would have been relieved to see Goncalves end his two-match goalless run against Braga, taking his tally to 11 strikes in as many appearances.

Like the visitors, Nacional head into this contest on a high after registering an important 2-0 triumph over Tondela for just their third win in 11 games.

Luis Freire's side were helped by their opponents having two players sent off, although victory was far from routine for a club who had lost their previous three contests.

Although just three points separate Nacional and the relegation zone, Freire and his squad can at least go into this contest with little to lose against the in-form side in the country.

The Alvinegros have collected nine of their 13 points for the season at home, suffering just one defeat at the hands of Santa Clara.

Nacional Primeira Liga form: DWLLLW Nacional form (all competitions): WLLLWW

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form: WWDWWW Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Team News

Nunes will hope for a recall to the Sporting side after scoring as a substitute against Braga.

Nuno Santos is at risk of dropping down to the replacements, while Andraz Sporar is also pushing for a starting role.

Having not played since December 27, Freire could opt against making any changes to his Nacional XI.

Abdullahi Ibrahim Alhassan is an alternative to Nuno Borges in the centre of midfield.

Nacional possible starting lineup: Guimaraes; Freitas, Cesar, Kal, Vigario; Micael, Borges, Azouni; Riascos, Rochez, Camacho

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup: Adan; Neto, Coates, Feddal; Porro, Palhinha, Mario, Mendes; Goncalves, Nunes; Tomas

We say: Nacional 0-2 Sporting Lisbon

On a high after their important success against Tondela, we expect a strong performance from Nacional on home territory. However, few teams are capable of stopping this Sporting team right now, and the visitors should outclass their hosts in the final third.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.