A stuttering Sporting Lisbon will be looking to return to winning ways in the Primeira Liga this weekend when they lock horns with Boavista at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Saturday night.
The alarm bells are ringing for Sporting, as a major dip in form sees them enter this weekend's fixtures just two points clear at the top of the table, though they have played a game more than second-place Benfica.
Match preview
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It is fair to say that the impact of Ruben Amorim's departure from Lisbon has been profoundly felt at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, as Sporting could now lose the lead in the Primeira Liga for the first time this season if they are defeated this weekend.
Joao Pereira's tenure began promisingly with a 6-0 triumph over third-tier Amarante in the Taca de Portugal, but just four days later, Sporting suffered a humbling 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, marking the start of a historic decline.
Since their heavy defeat to the Premier League giants on November 26, Sporting have struggled to get much right and suffered another three consecutive losses against Santa Clara, Moreirense and Club Brugge, leaving them without a single point in that stretch leading up to this weekend.
For almost any club in the division, four defeats on the bounce would likely signify a drop-off, but to put into perspective just how big of a decline it is for Os Leoes, consider that the side had lost the same number of games in the last two weeks as they did in Amorim's last 54 matches in charge.
While some may argue that it is still premature to suggest, others are already demanding Pereira's head after just five games at the helm, and one can only fear the worst for the new boss if the defending champs are dislodged from the lead in the league standings this weekend.
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However, the hosts are still firmly favoured to get the job done this weekend, especially given their upcoming opponents' record this season, with just 11 points earned from 13 league matches to date.
Boavista played to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to relegation-candidates Farense last weekend, which was their third consecutive top-flight match without victory following a 2-0 defeat to Rio Ave and a goalless draw with Nacional.
Cristiano Bacci's side's last league victory came at the start of November on the road against Gil Vicente (2-1), while the only other win the Italian has managed since taking charge was way back during the opening week against Casa Pia (1-0).
When these sides last faced off, Os Axadrezados suffered a 6-1 demolition at this venue, which was their third consecutive league defeat against the Green and Whiles dating back to March 2023, a period during which they were outscored 11-1.
Team News
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Despite their poor results over the last couple of weeks, Viktor Gyokeres is still seven goals clear at the top of the leading goal-scorer standings this season, but the Swede will be desperate to add to his tally here after only netting once in his last four matches across all competitions.
Daniel Braganca and Hidemasa Morita both sustained injuries in the loss to Moreirense last week, which saw them miss the midweek trip to Belgium, and they are flagged as doubts for this one.
Should the pair be unable to return to full fitness ahead of kick off, they will join longer-term absentees Nuno Santos (ligament injury) and Pedro Goncalves (muscle strain) in a watching brief this weekend.
Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without the services of midfielder Ilija Vukotic, who was sent off in the match against Farense and will be serving his one-match suspension this week.
With Joao Goncalves and Luis Pires now both ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament tears, 17-year-old Tome Sousa will continue to provide backup to Cesar in between the sticks for Boavista for the foreseeable future.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Kovacevic; Diomande, St. Juste, Reis; Inacio, Hjulmand, Araujo, Catamo; Edwards, Trincao; Gyokeres
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Gomes, Abascal, Ferreira, Dabo; Agra, Reisinho, Perez, Onyemaechi; Silva, Bozenik
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Boavista
No doubt, it has been a very tough month for Sporting, but given their record in this fixture combined with Boavista's poor form this season, we feel Os Leoes will get their much-needed victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
