Two sides with contrasting Primeira Liga ambitions this season will collide on Saturday when Sporting Lisbon head to Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira to face Chaves.
It is top versus bottom in this encounter as the visitors currently lead the league standings heading into the final game of the first half of the season, while the visitors have spent the majority of the current term at the foot of the table.
Match preview
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Sporting Lisbon have picked up where they left off this year and come into this match off the back of a comfortable 4-0 win over Tondela in midweek, which saw them book their spot in the quarter-final of the Taca de Portugal.
That result followed an even more dominant display, where they beat Estoril Praia at home in their first league match of 2024, which saw them maintain their one-point advantage over defending champions Benfica in the league table.
The Lions are now bidding for a seventh consecutive win in all competitions, during which time they also punched their ticket to the knockout stages of the Europa League, finishing second in their group behind Atalanta.
At home, Ruben Amorim's side has been flawless this season, but on the road, they have earned 13 from a possible 21 points, which is still a solid return, although they did lose two of their last three against Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes.
It has taken huge efforts from sides to get anything off Sporting this season, and they will be expecting nothing less than three points here, having beaten this opponent in five of their last six meetings, dating back to October 2017.
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With that in mind, many would likely agree that Chaves just do not have that big effort type of performance in them at the moment, as they have been languishing at the bottom of the table for the vast majority of the season.
Flavienses managed to earn a point in their last outing, drawing 2-2 away to Famalicao, which brought an end to a three-match losing streak that included defeats to Estoril, Casa Pia and Porto.
That result took them to a tally of 11 points after 16 matches, which leaves them two points behind second-bottom Vizela and four points behind Rio Ave, who are the first side above the dotted line.
Considering Sporting's attacking strength this season, Chaves could be in for a long afternoon here as they currently possess the out-and-out worst defensive record in the league, with 41 goals conceded to date and a goal differential of -23.
Team News
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Jerry St Juste was expected to return to the first team last week but has suffered a setback with his recovery from a muscle injury and is now expected to remain sidelined until early February.
Joining St Juste on the treatment table is Ivan Fresneda, who has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury, while Geny Catamo, Hidemasa Morita and Ousmane Diomande are all away from the club on international duty.
Chaves have two injury absentees for this match, with Sandro Cruz and Habib Sylla both ruled out due to leg and muscle injuries, respectively, although the latter is expected to return to the squad in the next few weeks.
Like their opponents, the visitors also have three players currently unavailable, with Joao Correia, Bruno Langa and Guima all currently representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Souza; Nwakali, Vitoria, Rodrigues; Machado, Morin, Phete, Cruz; Ribeiro, Hernandez, Benny
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Quaresma, Inacio, Reis; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Braganaca, Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres, Pote
We say: Chaves 1-3 Sporting Lisbon
While Sporting's form on the road this season has not been as impressive as their home record, this match feels like it should be a guaranteed three points for the Lions. Chaves have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, particularly at home, but we feel they will not be able to contain the champions-elect in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
