League leaders Sporting Lisbon will look to pick up where they left off before the international break when they travel to Estrela Amadora this weekend for round 27 of the Primeira Liga.
The Lions are in resurgent form, keeping their grip on top spot with 62 points, though they remain just three clear of second-placed Benfica, who have a game in hand.
Match preview
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Despite securing three successive 3-1 victories, most recently against Famalicao, Sporting cannot afford to falter, as any slip could leave them vulnerable to losing their grip on top spot.
Benfica's relentless charge of six straight wins has drastically cut down the gap, putting added pressure on the league leaders, who had previously stumbled with three consecutive draws before rediscovering their rhythm.
Even so, Sporting have now stretched their unbeaten run in the top flight to 13 matches, with the success against Famalicao marking their eighth in this spell, reinforcing their title credentials.
While the reigning champions are eager to tighten their grip at the summit, they also have the chance to secure back-to-back away triumphs in the league for the first time since Ruben Amorim's departure.
After beginning the campaign with six straight victories on the road under Amorim, the Green and Whites have struggled for consistency, managing just two more wins from the next eight trips, though their 28 points from a possible 39 still make them the second-best travellers in the division.
That record remains encouraging ahead of this weekend's test, particularly given Sporting's dominance over Estrela, having won all three previous league meetings, including a commanding 5-1 triumph in the reverse fixture.
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In stark contrast, Estrela have failed to build any meaningful momentum since snapping a six-game winless streak — comprising two draws and four defeats — with a narrow victory over Boavista in mid-February.
Since that brief high, the Tricolours have settled for three consecutive draws before slumping to a 2-0 loss at Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out.
That result leaves Estrela hovering in 15th place with 23 points from five wins, eight draws and 13 defeats, clinging to safety only on goal difference above the relegation playoff spot.
Jose Faria's side will be desperate to pull off an upset against the league leaders to ease their survival concerns, but their recent home record offers little encouragement, having gone five matches without a victory, including three losses and two stalemates.
Team News
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Diogo Travassos will be unavailable for Estrela as he is ineligible to face his parent club, likely paving the way for Juan Mina to step in on the right side of defence after making his debut last time out.
Nilton Varela and Amine Oudrhiri face late fitness tests ahead of Saturday, with both players in contention to return after missing the last three outings, provided they recover in time.
Meanwhile, Tiago Mamede and Leo Cordeiro are expected absentees as they continue their respective injury recoveries.
Sporting will be without midfielder Maxi Araujo, who serves a suspension following his red card in their last outing, with Geny Catamo the natural replacement, having previously occupied that role.
Hidemasa Morita, who had only just returned to full fitness, suffered another setback on international duty, though the injury is not thought to be serious, leaving him with a chance to recover in time to feature.
Eduardo Quaresma is back to full fitness and will compete with Matheus Reis for a starting berth alongside Zeno Debast and Goncalo Inacio in defence.
Francisco Trincao will be brimming with confidence after netting a brace during the international break, helping Portugal secure their place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Costa; Lima, Ferro, Lopes; Varela, Moreira, Oudrhiri, Mina; Ruiz, Pinho, Ronaldo
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Silva; Debast, Inacio, Reis; Fresneda, Hjlumand, Morita, Catamo; Quenda, Gyokeres, Trincao
We say: Estrela Amadora 1-3 Sporting Lisbon
With victory crucial for Sporting to preserve their lead at the top, they should be confident of claiming all three points against an Estrela side struggling for consistency.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
