Fresh off a disappointing European outing, Sporting Lisbon return to Primeira Liga action as they welcome Arouca for round 22.
The Lions will look to bounce back from their humbling defeat at Estadio Jose Alvalade against German side Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoffs on Tuesday.
Match preview
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Sporting endured another frustrating night on the continental stage, falling 3-0 to Dortmund after conceding three second-half goals from Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Gross and Karim Adeyemi.
That defeat extended the Green and Whites' winless run in the competition to five games, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg in Germany should they hope to reach the knockout stage for the second time in three seasons.
The result also saw Rui Borges's men fail to secure victory for a second successive match across all competitions, following a 1-1 draw at Porto in the Primeira Liga last weekend.
However, unlike their struggles in the Champions League, Sporting have fared much better domestically, extending their unbeaten league streak to eight games, comprising five wins and three draws.
Currently sitting four points clear at the summit with 51 points from 21 matches, the reigning champions will aim to stretch their lead further with another victory this weekend against a side they have dominated in recent meetings, having won each of the last three encounters with an aggregate score of 8-1, including a commanding 3-0 triumph in this season's reverse fixture.
Providing extra confidence for Sporting is their formidable record at Jose Alvalade, where they have claimed victory in nine of their 10 matches in the top flight, with Leoes' haul of 27 points from a possible 30 ranking them as the side with the third-best home record in the division.
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Meanwhile, Arouca will be aiming to secure only their second point at this venue, having previously held the hosts to a 1-1 draw in April 2023, though they fell to a 2-1 defeat in their most recent visit.
Achieving that would not be beyond Gonzalo Garcia's side, who are unbeaten in six matches, recording three wins and three draws, the latest being a 1-1 stalemate against Rio Ave at Estadio Municipal.
Arouca appeared to be on course for a third straight victory after Jose Fontan put them ahead from a well-worked indirect free kick in the 71st minute, only to be pegged back in the 96th minute by Tiago Morais's solo effort.
With that result, they now sit 12th in the standings with 23 points, six clear of the relegation playoff spot, and will be looking to widen that gap with a positive result this weekend.
The Wolves can also take heart from their recent upturn in away performances, having collected seven points from a possible nine in their last three road trips after managing just four from the previous eight, with their total away tally of 11, leaving them as the 10th best travellers in the league.
Team News
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Matheus Reis and Ousmane Diomande both saw red against Porto, making them unavailable for selection this weekend as they serve their suspensions on the sidelines.
On the injury front, Sporting will be without Pedro Goncalves, who is sidelined with a muscle issue, while Nuno Santos remains out due to an ACL injury, and Geny Catamo could also miss a third straight match as he continues to recover from an ankle sprain.
Morten Hjulmand was absent from the Champions League clash due to a suspension for accumulated yellow cards, but he should return to the lineup on Saturday as he is yet to reach that threshold in the league.
Viktor Gyokeres, having struggled with fitness lately and begun the last two matches on the bench, has given teenage sensation Conrad Harder the chance to step up in attack, and should Borges deem the Swedish striker unfit, the youngster could once again lead the line.
Fontan, who found the net in Arouca's last outing, could be rewarded with another start as he anchors the heart of the defence.
However, Nino Galovic and veteran midfielder Pedro Moreira remain sidelined, with neither expected to return to the squad anytime soon.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Rui Silva; Fresneda, Juste, Inacio, Araujo; Simoes, Hjulmand; Braganca, Morita, Quenda; Trincao, Harder
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Esgaio, Lamba, Fontan, Weverson; Fukui, Simao; Sylla, Gozalbez, Trezza; Araujo
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Arouca
While both sides are enjoying strong league form, Sporting are expected to claim victory this weekend, given their formidable home record this season and their dominance in this fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
