Sporting Lisbon aim to tighten their grip on top spot when they welcome Moreirense to Estadio Jose Alvalade this Friday for round 30 of the Primeira Liga.
The Lions reclaimed pole position after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Santa Clara, taking their tally to 69 points for the campaign.
Match preview
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Sporting's stay below the summit lasted barely a week, with that narrow win made even more significant by title rivals Benfica dropping points in a 2-2 draw against Arouca the following day.
That result sees Rui Borges's men back in first place on goal difference, while also extending their unbeaten run in the top flight to 16 matches, including five wins from their last six.
The Lions have suffered just two defeats in the league all season, and they now prepare to face the very side that last beat them in the top flight, with Moreirense claiming a 2-1 win in the reverse encounter back in December 2024.
That setback remains only the second time in their last seven top-flight meetings that Sporting have dropped points in this contest, though history leans in their favour, as Verde e Brancos have never gone through a campaign without at least one win in this fixture.
With that pattern in their corner and buoyed by a dominant home record – having notched the second-highest point tally on their own patch this season with 35 – the Lions will aim to stamp their authority once more under the Friday night lights.
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Moreirense, meanwhile, saw their five-game unbeaten run under Cristiano Bacci snapped last weekend as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Rio Ave.
Despite that result, Os Verdes e Brancos remain 10th in the table on 35 points, with a return of nine wins, eight draws and 12 losses leaving them 12 points clear of the relegation playoff spot.
However, Bacci's side can be said to have had a rather flat campaign, particularly when held against their 55-point finish last term – their best-ever tally in the top flight.
A key reason behind that drop-off has been their struggles away from home, having managed just one win in their last eight league outings, although the new manager's influence has brought signs of recovery with four points taken from their most recent two trips.
Team News
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Twenty-year-old forward Conrad Harder will play no part on Friday as he serves a suspension following a red card issued after the final whistle against Santa Clara.
On the injury front, Sporting will be without Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Joao Simoes and Daniel Braganca, while Alexandre Brito remains a doubt.
Viktor Gyokeres failed to score for the first time in seven league matches last time out, and the Swedish striker will be determined to return to the scoresheet as he looks to build on his 31 goals in the Primeira Liga.
For Moreirense, the return of Alanzinho is a welcome boost, with the midfielder expected to bring much-needed quality in the final third.
Both Maracas and Dinis Pinto are available again after serving suspensions and could be restored to the starting lineup following last weekend's shaky defensive display.
Up front, Yan Maranhao is likely to start, with Guilherme Schettine suspended after being sent off while off the pitch in their previous outing.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Silva; Diomande, Inacio, Reis; Quenda, Debast, Hjulmand, Fresneda; Pote, Gyokeres, Trincao
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Frimpong, Marcelo, Maracas, Pinto; Ofori, Ismael, Alanzinho; Benny, Maranhao, Teguia
We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Moreirense
Sporting enter this encounter as clear favourites, given their dominance in this fixture and an impressive record at home this season.
With more on the line in the title race, the hosts have every incentive to push for three points, though it may not come easy, especially with the visitors boosted by the return of key players.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
