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Sporting Lisbon
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 27, 2023 at 8.30pm UK
Estadio Jose Alvalade
Famalicao logo

Sporting Lisbon
1 - 0
Famalicao

Paulinho (52')
Gyokeres (23'), Coates (45+1'), Morita (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Riccieli (31'), Topic (68')

Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Primeira Liga clash between Sporting Lisbon and Famalicao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sporting Lisbon will attempt to clinch a third consecutive victory when they welcome Famalicao to the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Sunday.

Famalicao, meanwhile, will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Primeira Liga season after picking up four points from their first two games.


Match preview

Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their first goal on August 12, 2023© Reuters

After finishing in fourth place and 13 points adrift of league winners Benfica last season, Sporting are determined to show a significant improvement this time around, as they look to mount a title challenge.

While their opening two results may not have been convincing, Sporting have managed to start their Primeira Liga campaign with consecutive victories.

After beating Vizela 3-2 in their league opener, courtesy of Paulinho's 99th-minute winner, the Lions recorded another narrow victory in their away meeting with Casa Pia on Matchday Two.

Paulinho was once again the hero, scoring either side of a Clayton strike to guide Sporting to a 2-1 win — a result which extends the club's unbeaten league run to 16 matches.

Ruben Amorim will be pleased with the club's positive start to the campaign, but after conceding against Vizela and Casa Pia, they have now gone five top-flight games without a clean sheet, something that the Sporting boss will look to rectify this weekend.

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim reacts on August 12, 2023© Reuters

Despite finishing in the top half of the Primeira Liga table in each of the last five seasons, Famalicao will go into Sunday's encounter as massive underdogs.

The visitors will certainly carry some momentum into the contest, having picked up four points from their opening two games against Braga and Moreirense.

After coming from a goal down to claim a 2-1 away victory over Braga on the opening weekend of the season, Famalicao held out for a goalless draw against Moreirense last weekend, despite playing the entire second half with 10 men following Pablo's red card.

Joao Pedro Sousa knows that his side will need to produce another strong defensive display if they are to trouble Sporting, having lost their last four competitive meetings.

While Famalicao will be targeting a point, if they can pull off a surprise win, it would represent their first away victory over Sporting since September 2019.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:


Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):


Famalicao Primeira Liga form:


Famalicao form (all competitions):



Team News

Sporting Lisbon's Paulinho celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on August 12, 2023© Reuters

Jerry St Juste has been sidelined since April, and the Dutch defender is unlikely to feature for the hosts in Saturday's contest.

Paulinho has scored three goals in the opening two league games, and the in-form forward will retain his place in the side, with Amorim expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Recent addition Morten Hjulmand will provide the hosts with an option off the bench after making his Sporting debut as a substitute last weekend.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon long-term absentee Theo Fonseca, while Ivan Jaime is unlikely to feature after missing the opening two league matches through injury.

With Pablo set to serve a one-match suspension, Sousa could present Romania international Alexandru Dobre with a starting opportunity.

After coming off the bench at half time last weekend, summer signing Mirko Topic is in line to make his first league start for Famalicao.


Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Morita, Goncalves, Santos; Edwards, Paulinho, Gyokeres

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Aguirregabiria, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Topic, Assuncao; Dobre, Aranda, Cadiz


SM words green background

We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Famalicao

Sporting have shown some defensive fragility in their opening two games, which is why we believe that Famalicao will trouble the scorers on Sunday.

However, the Lions have also showcased the attacking talent that they possess in their two victories over Vizela and Casa Pia, and we think they will have enough firepower to claim all three points against Famalicao.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Sporting Lisbon vs Famalicao

Sporting Lisbon
77.4%
Draw
9.7%
Famalicao
12.9%
31
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Sporting Lisbon's Francisco Trincao celebrates scoring their first goal with Nuno Santos on May 21, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1010003533230
2Porto109012742327
3Benfica97112461822
4Braga106221771020
5Santa ClaraSanta Clara96031310318
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes105321210218
7FamalicaoFamalicao10442129316
8MoreirenseMoreirense104241212014
9Casa Pia10334913-412
10Gil Vicente102441216-410
11BoavistaBoavista10235713-69
12Estoril PraiaEstoril10235816-89
13AVS10235919-109
14Rio AveRio Ave10235820-129
15AroucaArouca10217619-137
16Estrela Amadora10136820-126
17Nacional8125413-95
18SC FarenseFarense10118417-134


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