Sporting Lisbon welcome Rio Ave to Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday, aiming to seize the early advantage in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final.
The Lions edged past Gil Vicente 1-0 on February 27 to reach this stage, having previously seen off Portimonense, Amarante and Santa Clara in previous rounds.
Match preview
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Sporting resume their cup campaign in blistering form, with that victory over Gil Vicente halting a five-game winless run across all competitions and igniting a dominant spell.
Rui Borges's men have since won four consecutive league matches, netting three goals in each, the most recent being a commanding 3-0 triumph over Estoril Praia that keeps them top of the Primeira Liga table with 65 points, three clear of second-placed Benfica, who play their gameweek 27 fixture on Wednesday.
Despite setbacks this season, including a penalty shootout defeat to the Reds in the Allianz Cup final and a 3-0 aggregate loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Sporting remain well-positioned for a domestic double, a feat they last achieved in 2020-21 when they claimed both the league title and Taca de Liga crown.
However, the Lions have not lifted the Taca de Portugal since 2018-19, coming closest last term when they fell to Porto in the final.
Now seeking back-to-back appearances in the tournament, the Lions will look to take control of this two-legged tie, especially given their dominant record against Rio Ave, having triumphed in seven of their last eight encounters across all competitions.
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The Vilacondenses, meanwhile, have endured a torrid time against Sporting in the Taca de Portugal, suffering defeats in their previous two meetings.
While they will be desperate to change that narrative, their recent form offers little encouragement, with three successive losses, including a 2-1 setback at Casa Pia, leaving Petit's side 11th in the Primeira Liga with 29 points.
That defeat also marked a third straight away loss for Rio Ave, extending their winless run on the road to four matches, though their journey in the Cup of Portugal saw them edge Casa Pia before a 2-1 victory over Sao Joao Ver secured their place in the last four.
The Vilacondenses will hope to spring a surprise on Thursday as they chase only their second-ever appearance in the final, their sole run to the showpiece coming in 2013-14, when they fell to Benfica.
Team News
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Zeno Debast was the hero in the previous round, scoring the decisive goal for Sporting, and the versatile Belgian, who has operated between midfield and defence, could once again feature in the engine room.
Conrad Harder, the club's top scorer in this competition with four goals, is in contention to start, either replacing Viktor Gyokeres as the lone striker or slotting into a two-man advanced midfield role in a 3-4-2-1 setup.
Maxi Araujo, who missed the last match through suspension, is expected to return and reclaim his spot as the left wing-back.
For Rio Ave, Clayton's return would be a major boost, with the team's top scorer missing their last match due to suspension following his dismissal in the league defeat against Benfica.
Tiago Morais, who earned his first start in five games last time out and marked the occasion with his side's only goal, is pushing for another start.
Meanwhile, centre-back Francisco Petrasso and winger Tobias Medina remain doubtful, having missed multiple recent outings.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Silva; Esgaio, Inacio, Reis; Araujo, Brito, Debast, Fresneda; Quenda, Harder; Gyokeres
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Richards, Abbey, Ntoi, Vrousai; Tiknaz, Bakoulas; Luiz, Pohlmann, Morais; Clayton
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Rio Ave
Sporting have won their last five matches, scoring three goals in four of those, and have defeated Rio Ave in two of their last three meetings, finding the net three times in each; hence, we expect a convincing win from the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
