Sporting Lisbon vs Estoril Praia: Primeira Liga Match Preview and Prediction
Image credits: © Imago
Sporting Lisbon will look to capitalize on their midweek cup success when they welcome Estoril Praia to the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Monday for their round 24 Primeira Liga clash. The Lions come into this match on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Gil Vicente in the Taca de Portugal, which ended their five-game winless run across all competitions and secured their place in the semi-finals. Although the performance was not convincing, a vital win was achieved thanks to a decisive strike from Zeno Debast in the 68th minute.
However, while that triumph ended their barren spell in all competitions, Rui Borges's men are still searching for their first league victory in three outings, having been held to consecutive draws. Their latest top-flight setback came in a 2-2 stalemate at AVS last weekend, a result that kept Sporting top of the table with 53 points. The team's grip on first place is under threat, as their once commanding six-point cushion at the summit has disappeared, leaving the Green and whites ahead of second-placed Benfica only by virtue of a superior goal difference. With their league position under threat, Sporting will be eager to end their winless streak on Monday, and they have every reason to feel confident given their formidable record at Alvalade this season, winning nine of their 11 league matches at the ground.
The visit of an opponent they have dominated in recent years adds further incentive, having won each of their last seven meetings, including a 3-0 triumph in September's reverse fixture. Meanwhile, in-form Estoril will fancy their chances of upsetting the hosts as they seek their first win in this matchup since 2018. Estoril are in red-hot form, winning six of their last eight matches while avoiding defeat in the remaining two. Their latest triumph came in a 2-1 victory over Rio Ave last weekend, lifting Ian Cathro's side to seventh place with 34 points. The team's momentum will be crucial in their bid to cause an upset against the league leaders.
Sporting continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list, with long-term absentees Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves set to remain sidelined. Jeremiah St. Juste is at risk of missing a third successive match due to a muscle problem, while Joao Simoes remains doubtful with unspecified discomfort and Hidemasa Morita's availability is uncertain as he continues his recovery. Compounding their selection concerns is the suspension of Maxi Araujo, creating an opening in the starting XI for Geny Catamo. Viktor Gyokeres is expected to return to the lineup after coming off the bench last time out, with the Swedish striker keen to build on his 23-goal tally. Estoril, on the other hand, arrive with a clean bill of health, giving manager Cathro an array of options to choose from. The possible starting lineups for the match are:
- Sporting Lisbon: Israel; Esgaio, Inacio, Reis; Catamo, Debast, Brito, Fresneda; Quenda, Gyokeres, Trincao
- Estoril Praia: Robles; Boma, Pedro Alvaro, Bacher; Amaral, Holsgrove, Xeka, Pina; Joao Carvalho, Marques, Begraoui
While Sporting's injury woes present an opportunity for Estoril, the hosts should have enough to grind out a victory, given their dominance in this fixture and the added urgency of protecting their place at the summit. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:15 on Monday, and fans in the USA can watch it live on Fubo, GolTV, or Fanatiz. With the race for the Primeira Liga's top spot tighter than ever, a single slip-up could cost either Sporting or Benfica the chance to sit atop the standings, making this match a crucial one for the league leaders.
estoril praia lisbon primeira liga sport rui borg zeno debast
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