Fresh off the back of a Champions League opening-day victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, Sporting Lisbon play host to Portimonense in round six of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The visitors, who are currently on a run of four consecutive victories, will head to the Estadio Jose Alvalade seeking to get one over the hosts, having failed to win any of the last nine meetings between the teams since October 2018.
Match preview
© Reuters
Sporting Lisbon kicked off their quest for European glory on a high as they claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Frankfurt in their Champions League Group D opener on Wednesday.
The Germans were simply outclassed at the Deutsche Bank Park as Marcus Edwards, Francisco Trincao and Nuno Santos all found the target in the second half to hand the visitors a resounding victory.
Sporting Lisbon now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they returned to winning ways last Friday when they edged out Estoril Praia 2-0 at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, with goals coming from Jeremiah St. Juste and Edwards.
Prior to last weekend's victory over the Canarinhos, Ruben Amorim's side were on a run of two consecutive defeats in the league, losing 3-0 against Porto on August 22 before they were beaten 2-0 by newly-promoted Chaves at home five days later.
With seven points from their opening five games of the season, Sporting Lisbon are currently ninth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Arouca and Estoril Praia, but could rise as high as fifth with all three points this weekend.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Portimonense have found a way to keep grinding out results in the new campaign as they secured a second consecutive 1-0 victory when they squared off against Famalicao last Monday.
Following a drab first half at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, former Palmeiras defender Pedrao came up clutch for the home side as he found the target five minutes after the hour mark to hand the Vila Nova their third defeat of the season.
Having kicked off their season with a 1-0 loss to Boavista, Paulo Sergio's men have now won each of their subsequent four games — their joint-longest run of consecutive victories since January 2021, when they also picked up four straight victories.
The Portimao outfit currently sit fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on 12 points with reigning champions Porto and three points off league leaders Benfica, who remain the only side yet to drop points this season.
While Portimonense will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the table, their next task sees them go up against a rampant Sporting Lisbon side who have won each of their last seven league encounters since a 4-2 loss in October 2018.
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Sporting Lisbon will have to make do with the absence of Portuguese midfielder Daniel Braganca, who has been out of action since May when he sustained an ACL injury.
He is joined on the Leoes' injury table by 24-year-old forward Jovane Cabral, who continues his long road to full fitness after picking up a foot injury back in June.
Edwards turned in a performance of the highest quality against Frankfurt last time out, and the Englishman, who boasts six goal involvements in six games this season, will be one to look out for.
Meanwhile, Portimonense will take to the pitch without the midfield duo of Carlinhos and Adewale Sapara, who have been sidelined through thigh and muscle injuries respectively.
Anderson Oliveira came off injured midway through the game against Pacos de Ferreira on August 15 and the Brazilian will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; St Juste, Coates, Reis; Porro, Ugarte, Morita, Santos; Trincao, Edwards, Goncalves
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Rocha, Pedrao; Relvas, Moufi, Moreira, Diaby, Sa, Seck; Junior, Caju
We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Portimonense
While Portimonense set out to pick up a fifth win on the bounce, standing in their way is a bogey Sporting Lisbon side who have won their last seven meetings in the league. While the hosts have struggled for results in the early stages of the season, we are backing them to carry on the momentum for the Champions League victory and come away with all three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
