Sporting Lisbon, currently in second place in the Primeira Liga, is gearing up for an important clash against Estoril Praia as they strive to cut into their four-point deficit behind leaders Porto. The fixture is set to take place on Friday as part of matchday 24, with Porto facing Arouca earlier in the evening.
Last weekend, Sporting secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Moreirense, showcasing their offensive prowess with goals from Francisco Trincao, Geny Catamo, and Luis Suarez in the second half. This victory marked their ninth consecutive match without a defeat across all competitions, comprising eight wins and one draw since their exit from the Taca da Liga semi-final. Their recent form has also seen them advance to the Champions League Round of 16 and reach the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup.
The match against Estoril is critical as Sporting aims to continue their 19-match unbeaten streak (W15, D4) in the Primeira Liga. They have been particularly strong at home, winning their last 13 matches across all competitions, which bodes well for their chances against a team they have dominated previously, winning their last nine encounters.
Estoril Praia, sitting seventh in the league and newly invigorated after a 3-1 win over Gil Vicente, will seek to end their losing streak against Sporting. After suffering a heavy loss to AVS, Estoril bounced back well, with standout performances from Felix Bacher and Yanis Begraoui, the latter scoring a brace to elevate his tally to 17 goals for the season.
Despite their offensive strength, Estoril has struggled defensively, conceding 39 goals this season, raising concerns about their ability to contain Sporting’s attacking threats, which have produced a league-high of 59 goals. Their away form has also been underwhelming, with six defeats in 11 matches this season, including four losses in their last six away games.
In terms of player availability, Sporting will be without defender Zeno Debast and midfielder Giorgi Kochorashvili due to injuries. Forward Geovany Quenda remains in recovery from foot surgery, while midfielder Pedro Goncalves returns from suspension, enhancing Sporting’s options. Estoril, on the other hand, may miss key players like Kevin Boma and Nodar Lominadze due to injuries.
Given both teams’ current forms, the match is poised to be an exciting encounter. Sporting’s attacking prowess combined with Estoril’s defensive vulnerabilities suggests a high-scoring game, with predictions leaning towards a 3-1 victory for Sporting Lisbon. This match serves as an opportunity for Sporting to gain momentum ahead of their important Taca de Portugal semi-final against Porto next week.