Sporting Lisbon's defence of the Primeira Liga title continues this weekend as they welcome Gil Vicente to the Estadio Jose Alvalade, knowing that anything less than victory could hand control of the title race to their fiercest rivals in Lisbon.
While the Lions are firm favourites against the Roosters still seeking mathematical safety, Cesar Peixoto's men arrive in good spirits following back-to-back wins.
Match preview
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Rui Borges's men are in the thick of a thrilling title run-in, sitting level on 75 points with Benfica but occupying top spot courtesy of a superior goal difference, and they maintained their slender advantage last weekend with an emphatic 5-0 triumph over Boavista.
That commanding display came just a day after their fellow contender laid down the gauntlet by hammering AVS in their own bid to leapfrog into pole position, but Sporting responded in ruthless fashion with Viktor Gyokeres taking centre stage by netting four goals to silence any whispers of pressure.
It was a fourth consecutive victory across all competitions for the Lions, whose hot streak includes sealing their place in the Taca de Portugal final, where they will once again cross paths with Benfica in what has been a season-long domestic duel between the two city rivals.
Having fallen short in the Taca da Liga against the same opponent back in January, Sporting are now chasing their first domestic double since the 2020-21 campaign, with Bruno Lage's men standing as the only hurdle.
The penultimate gameweek of the campaign will bring the two heavyweights together at the Estadio da Luz for a potential title decider, but before that, the reigning champions know they must first take care of business this weekend by extending their lead at the summit with maximum points against Gil Vicente.
Their record in this fixture offers plenty of encouragement, with the Lions winning eight of the last 10 league meetings, although they were held to a frustrating goalless draw when the sides met earlier this season at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
The Green and Whites have won seven of their last eight games in the league, but the only exception came on their own turf when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Braga on April 7, and Sporting will be looking to avoid any slip-ups here, as it could cost them their place at the summit.
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Gil Vicente have enjoyed a successful couple of weeks, recording victories in their last two games by beating Nacional (3-0) and SC Farense (1-0) to boost their survival bid.
Prior to this revival, the Roosters had won just once in 11 league games, with only one draw in that stretch, but this upturn in form has put safety firmly within reach.
With 32 points from eight victories, as many draws and 15 defeats, Gil Vicente now sit eight points clear of the relegation playoff spot and could be mathematically safe this weekend if AVS — the team currently in that position — fail to pick up maximum points in their own encounter.
That said, Peixoto's men will not be content to rely on results elsewhere and may quietly fancy their chances of frustrating Sporting, with another positive result not only strengthening their position but also extending their momentum, especially after recording back-to-back away wins — more than they had managed in their previous 13 on the road.
Team News
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Morten Hjulmand has been a key figure in the heart of midfield for Sporting throughout the campaign, but with the Dane walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of the decisive clash with Benfica, he could be rested here, potentially paving the way for Hidemasa Morita and Zeno Debast to form the midfield base.
Gyokeres's haul in the previous game has thrust him to the summit of the European Golden Shoe standings with 57 points, and the in-form Swede will undoubtedly be eyeing another goal-laden outing as he leads the line against Gil Vicente.
Nuno Santos, Joao Simoes and Daniel Braganca are set to miss out once again through injury, leaving the hosts slightly short on depth in certain areas.
Gil Vicente, on the other hand, have a few fitness concerns of their own, with Ruben Fernandes, Sergio Bermejo and Sandro Cruz all doubtful to feature in Lisbon.
Should Cruz fail to shake off his knock in time, Kazu is expected to deputise at left-back, while Fernandes, who missed the win over Farense, could remain sidelined, with Marvin Elimbi the likely candidate to step into the backline once more.
Mohamed Bamba came off the bench to score a dramatic 92nd-minute winner last weekend, and his heroics could earn him a starting berth in the middle of the park.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Silva; Diomande, Inacio, Quaresma; Araujo, Debast, Morita, Catamo; Pote, Gyokeres, Trincao
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Cruz, Mawesi, Elimbi, Carlos; Fujimoto, Garcia, Caseres; Bermejo, Aguirre, Corriea
We say: Sporting Lisbon 4-1 Gil Vicente
Sporting are overwhelming favourites to claim maximum points despite Gil Vicente's recent revival, and with an eye on boosting their goal difference in the event that Benfica also win, the Lions will be determined to turn in another ruthless attacking display.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
