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Chaves
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 17
Jan 13, 2024 at 6pm UK
Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira
Sporting Lisbon

Chaves
0 - 3
Sporting Lisbon


Correia (62')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Paulinho (44'), Trincao (52'), Goncalves (56')
Coates (71'), Gyokeres (90+1')

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

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

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

Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand on September 17, 2023© Reuters

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.

GD Chaves' Issah Abass celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 15, 2023© Reuters

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.

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:


Team News

Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring their third goal on September 17, 2023© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 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.Under 3.5:data


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Written by
Devesh Jaganath

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Game History

How you voted: Chaves vs Sporting Lisbon

Chaves
5.3%
Draw
10.5%
Sporting Lisbon
84.2%
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Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring their third goal on September 17, 2023
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon14120243103336
2Porto1411123392434
3Benfica1310213282432
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara149051613327
5Braga147432516925
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes146441814422
7MoreirenseMoreirense146261919020
8FamalicaoFamalicao144731715219
9Casa Pia144551317-417
10Gil Vicente144461724-716
11Rio AveRio Ave144461525-1016
12Estoril PraiaEstoril143561221-914
13Nacional13337817-912
14AVS142661122-1112
15Estrela Amadora143381224-1212
16BoavistaBoavista142571019-911
17AroucaArouca14329823-1511
18SC FarenseFarense14239720-139


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