Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

After beginning their Primeira Liga title defence in perfect fashion, Sporting Lisbon will welcome Arouca to the Estadio Jose Alvalade this weekend, aiming to make it two wins from two.

The champions kicked off the campaign with a victory on their visit to Casa Pia, while the Wolves also claimed three points in their own matchday one encounter with AVS.

Match preview

Sporting’s 2-0 success at Casa Pia last weekend was a timely one, briefly silencing the murmurs over how the side would cope without Viktor Gyokeres.

Losing a striker who struck 54 goals in 52 appearances last term inevitably leaves a void, and those concerns grew louder after the Lions failed to find the net in their Super Cup meeting with Benfica, which they lost 1-0.

The two Lisbon powerhouses have been locked in a fierce domestic battle in recent seasons, with all three major pieces of silverware last term shared between them.

Sporting enjoyed a double triumph, lifting the Taca de Portugal after defeating Benfica in the final, just a week on from edging their rivals to the Primeira Liga crown by two points.

With that rivalry still simmering, there is little room for error as Sporting host Arouca, one of only three sides to take points off them at the Jose Alvalade in the league last season.

Indeed, Arouca left Lisbon with a 2-2 draw on that occasion and will take encouragement from last weekend’s 3-1 home victory over AVS.

Alfonso Trezza stole the spotlight with a brace either side of Nais Djouahra’s 54th-minute strike, before Nene netted a late consolation for the visitors.

Although it may be premature to speak of a European challenge, the win, which leaves Arouca fourth in the early standings, could serve as a springboard for momentum and belief in securing at least a top-half finish following last season’s 12th place.

Vasco Seabra’s side were less convincing on the road in 2024-25, suffering eight defeats from 17 league trips, and must address their away struggles ahead of this journey to the capital.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

Arouca form (all competitions):

Team News

Ousmane Diomande limped off in the opening match and will play no part here, meaning Goncalo Inacio may partner Zeno Debast at the heart of defence.

Maximiliano Araujo is also a doubt, and with Matheus Reis suspended, the left-back berth could fall to Ricardo Mangas, potentially making his first Sporting start as a result.

Other confirmed absentees include Daniel Braganca and Nuno Santos, both sidelined through injury.

For Arouca, this fixture is likely to come too soon for new signing Omar Fayed, particularly with Jose Fontan and Boris Popovic currently the first-choice pairing in central defence.

Trezza will be brimming with confidence after his brace against AVS, while Lee-Hyun Ju should retain his spot in midfield following an assured display last time out.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Silva; Mangas, Inacio, Debast, Fresneda; Hjulmand, Morita; Trincao, Pote, Catamo; Suarez

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Mantl; Sola, Fontan, Popovic, Pinto; Fukui, Santos; Djouahra, Hyun-Ju, Trezza; Nandin