Sporting Lisbon continue their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a friendly against La Liga outfit Sevilla on Tuesday evening.
The Portuguese champions aim to defend their Primeira Liga title when the league restarts on August 9, while Sevilla are intensifying preparations for a possible return to European competition next season.
Match preview
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Sporting Lisbon kicked off their pre-season campaign by squandering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against last season's Belgian First Division runners-up, Union SG.
Rafael Ferreira Neto put the Lions ahead in first-half stoppage time, before Pedro Goncalves doubled the lead in the 54th minute - however, Noah Sadiki and Promise Akinpelu found the net for the Belgian side to secure a draw.
Ruben Amorim's side clinched their 20th Primeira Liga title last season, and despite rumours of a potential departure, the manager opted to stay and defend the title in 2024-25.
However, there will be an opportunity to add another trophy before the league kicks off, as the Lions face Porto in the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira on August 3, but that is after playing another Spanish side, Athletic Club, in their final pre-season friendly on July 27.
Sporting have made two key signings this summer, with goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic arriving from Rakow, and 20-year-old centre-back Zeno Debast joined from Anderlecht.
There have been a number of departures as well, as Issahaku Fatawu joined Leicester City permanently after an initial loan deal, while Paulinho, Sebastian Coates, Antonio Adan, Rafael Camacho and Luis Neto have all left since the end of last season.
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Sevilla started their pre-season campaign on July 15 and were not yet up to speed, losing 2-0 to South African side Orlando Pirates.
Los Nervionenses finished a disappointing 14th in La Liga last season, their worst finish since returning to the top flight in 2001-02, despite making use of three managers across the campaign.
Jose Luis Mendilibar was sacked on October 8 after a poor start that left them in 14th place, before Diego Alonso took charge two days later but things worsened, and he lasted just three months, leaving the club in 16th.
Quique Sanchez Flores was appointed in December and remained in charge until the end of the season before leaving by mutual consent, paving the way for Garcia Pimienta.
Tuesday's game is one of Sevilla's six friendlies ahead of the new season, with other friendlies lined up against Al-Ittihad, Consadole Sapporo, Sagan Tosu, and Liverpool.
The Spanish side have been active in the transfer market, bringing in Peque Fernandez and Chidera Ejuke from Racing and CSKA Moscow respectively, while Arsenal's Albert Sambi Lokonga and Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez joined on loan deals.
There have also been departures, as Thomas Delaney, Erik Lamela, Oliver Torres, Sergio Ramos and Mariano Diaz all left on permanent deals, while Rafa Mir and Federico Gattoni joined other clubs on loan.
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Sporting Lisbon will head into this game without last season's Primeira Liga top scorer Viktor Gyokeres, as he is sidelined with knee injury until next month.
Nel took his opportunity well last time with a goal and could remain in the starting XI in the absence of Gyokeres.
Kovacevic had his debut against Union SG and should remain between the sticks, while Debast could also make his first appearance on Tuesday.
As for Sevilla, there is expected to be an official debut for Fernandez in attack, while Lokonga and Saul could also make their first appearances for the Spanish side.
Ejuke had his official debut against Orlando, and the Nigerian winger should feature once again on Tuesday.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Kovacevic; Catamo, Quaresma, Diomande, Reis, Santos; Morita, Fernandes; Trincao, Nel, Goncalves
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Carmona, Salas, Martinez, Hormigo; Ortiz, Rivera; Ocampos, Suso, Ejuke; Fernandez
We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Sevilla
This should be a close contest as both sides are at a similar stage in their preparations, having not really stepped up the intensity yet.
However, Sporting are aware that they have just a couple of matches left to play before their first competitive fixture and will likely play with greater intensity, which could swing the result in their favour.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
