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

Fresh off the back of a thrilling Europa League draw with Arsenal, Sporting Lisbon are back in action in the Primeira Liga as they take on Boavista at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Sunday.

Having picked up a 2-1 victory to end their 16-game winless run in this fixture in September, Os Axadrezados will head into the weekend looking to complete an impressive double over Ruben Amorim's side.

Match preview

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Sporting Lisbon were left spitting feathers on Thursday when they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Premier League leaders Arsenal in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 clash.

After going behind to William Saliba's 22nd-minute header, Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho found the target to turn the game on its head but Hidemasa Morita deflected in Granit Xhaka's cross shortly after the hour mark to spare the Gunners' blushes.

With all to play for in next week's return leg at the Emirates Stadium, Sporting Lisbon must first attend to business in the Primeira Liga, where they continue their Champions League qualification dogfight.

Amorim's side made it three league wins on the bounce last Saturday when substitute Paulinho netted just two minutes after his introduction to edge out Portimonense 1-0 at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao.

The Leoes have now picked up six wins in their last seven league matches — scoring 13 goals and keeping four clean sheets in that time — with a 2-1 loss against Porto on February 12 being the exception.

With 47 points from 23 matches, Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, five points off third-placed Braga in the Champions League qualifying playoff spot.

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Boavista, on the other hand, were denied consecutive league wins for the first time since September as they were held to a goalless draw by Arouca when the sides met last Friday.

In a game where goalscoring chances were at a premium, both sides failed to pose any real threat at the attacking end of the pitch before settling for a share of the spoils at the Estadio do Bessa.

Prior to that, Petit's men picked up their first Primeira Liga away since September as they edged out Pacos de Ferreira 3-1 at the Estadio Capital do Movel courtesy of goals from Yusupha Njie, Ricardo Mangas and Kenji Gorre.

Os Axadrezados, who have now managed just one win in their most recent six matches, are currently eighth in the league standings, having picked up 30 points from 23 matches so far.

While Boavista head into the weekend looking to do the league double over Sporting Lisbon and secure back-to-back away wins, they journey to the Estadio Jose Alvalade, where they have lost each of their nine visits since January 2015.

Team News

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With their Europa League second-leg clash with Arsenal on the horizon, Amorim could name a shuffled XI on Sunday, with the likes of Luis Neto and Nuno Santos pushing for starting roles in defence.

Youssef Chermiti came off the bench against the Gunners in midweek, but the 18-year-old could start up top, teaming up with Marcus Edwards and former Barcelona man Francisco Trincao.

On the injury front, Sporting Lisbon will once again have to cope without Daniel Braganca, who continues his rehabilitation after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture last May.

Boavista, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without the services of former Watford forward Adalberto Penaranda, who has been sidelined through a hamstring injury.

Other than that, Os Axadrezados head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Petit the luxury of a full -strength squad at his disposal.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Adan; Inacio, Neto, Diomande; Esgaio, Ugarte, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Trincao, Chermiti

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Sasso, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Agra, Perez, Camara, Makouta, Mangas; Gorre, Njie

We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Boavista

While Boavista will be looking to find their feet, they face a star-studded Sporting Lisbon side who are unbeaten in 17 of their last 18 encounters since 2014. We are backing Amorim's side to take the positives from their draw against Arsenal and claim all three points in this one.

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