The final match of gameweek 22 in the Primeira Liga will see Moreirense playing host to league title contenders Sporting Lisbon on Monday night.
Moreirense are enjoying an incredible return to the top flight, currently in sixth place in the league standings, while the visitors are second and have a game in hand on the league leaders Benfica.
Match preview
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The 2023-24 season could realistically not have gone any better for Moreirense up to this point, as they have already recorded 10 wins, five draws and just six losses in their 21 games and may still have a say in the race for the European qualification places.
Thus far, Os verdes e brancos have managed to secure a draw against Benfica, defeated fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes, and scored four goals against Rio Ave, as well as five against Portimonense in a season that has seen them gain many new fans.
Last weekend, Rui Borges's side claimed another three points, overcoming relegation favourites Chaves 1-0 at this venue, which saw them narrow the gap to just five points to the top five teams, with both Braga and Vitoria dropping points in their respective fixtures.
That result marked Moreirense's third victory on home soil in their last four matches, with a loss to Casa Pia being the only blemish in that time, while their only other defeats at home over the course of the season were against Porto and Braga.
However, despite holding their own against some of the best sides in the league, the hosts proved no match for Sporting in the reverse fixture when they were fairly easily beaten 3-0 at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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Out of the top four teams in the Primeira Liga, Sporting have the most challenging fixture on paper this weekend and are the only title contender playing away from home in gameweek 22.
That win for Sporting against this opponent back in September marked the Lions' 15th consecutive match undefeated against Moreirense - a record that dates all the way back to April 2015.
Sporting are in formidable form right now, possibly the best seen under Ruben Amorim, and head into this match having thrashed the Allianz Cup winners Braga 5-0 last weekend and following that with a 3-1 win over Young Boys in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round playoff in midweek.
Amorim's side are also riding a seven-match win streak in the league and have been prolific in attack over that period, scoring an incredible 30 goals, including smashing in eight without response against Casa Pia at the end of last month.
Based on current form, it would probably require an extraordinary effort from Moreirense to halt the relentless march of this Sporting team as they pursue their 20th top-flight title.
Team News
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Hernani returned to the squad last weekend against Chaves after an extended spell on the sideline and is likely to be available for selection again this week, although it may still be too soon to see him tossed in from the start.
Alhassane Sylla has not featured at all this season and is expected to miss the majority of the remaining matches, while Fabiano has missed the last five games through injury and is still a few weeks away from returning.
Sporting received a boost with the return of Hidemasa Morita from the Asian Cup, and they are also expecting the return of Africa Cup of Nations winner Ousmane Diomande in time for this game.
Sebastian Coates missed the midweek outing due to a knock picked up against Braga last weekend, and he remains a doubt for this match, while Paulinho (tendon) and Jerry St Juste (muscle) are ruled out until next month due to injury.
Viktor Gyokeres, one of the hottest players in Europe at the moment, has already netted 16 goals for the Lions this season and will almost certainly lead the line again in this one.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Frimpong; Ofori, Franco; Antonisse, Alanzinho, Madson; Asue
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Quaresma, Reis, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Pote, Santos; Braganca, Edwards; Gyokeres
We say: Moreirense 1-4 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting are absolutely flying at the moment and some may even go as far as to say that they are in the best form ever seen under Ruben Amorim. Indeed, Moreirense deserve their respect heading into this clash, but we feel they will be no match for the Lions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
