Sporting Lisbon will travel to face Famalicao on Tuesday for their rescheduled Primeira Liga clash, aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table.
The Lions are looking to extend their impressive unbeaten streak in the league to 15 matches, while the Vila Nova are hoping to stay unbeaten for the fifth game in a row.
Match preview
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Famalicao settled for a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Porto on Saturday, having taken the lead twice before relinquishing it on both occasions.
Jhonder Cadiz scored a first-half brace either side of Zaydou Youssouf's own goal to put the Vila Novas ahead at the break. However, they could not hold on as Mehdi Taremi restored parity for Porto in the 82nd minute, causing a tense finish to the game.
Newly-appointed head coach Armando Evangelista remains unbeaten after two matches in charge, while Famalicao are now unbeaten in four successive matches, leaving them eighth in the league table, eight points behind seventh-placed Arouca after 28 matches.
The Vila Novas will be looking to pick up another valuable point when they face another powerhouse on Tuesday. However, they have lost their last five matches against the Lions, though just one of those games was at Stadium Municipal 22 de Junho.
Sporting Lisbon have responded brilliantly to their Europa League exit, as they have gone on a run of four consecutive wins in Primeira Liga while also advancing into the Taca de Portugal final after a 4-3 aggregate victory against Benfica.
The Lions recorded an impressive 4-0 win over Gil Vicente last Friday, with all goals scored in the first half. Francisco Trincao grabbed a brace, while Ousmane Diomande was also on the scoresheet and the fourth came via an own goal by Gil Vicente's midfielder Andrew.
Having won their last six Primeira Liga contests since the 3-3 draw at Rio Ave on February 25, Sporting Lisbon have been able to hold their position at the top of the first-tier table, four points ahead of Benfica, who have played a game more.
There are strong rumours that head coach Ruben Amorim is being lined up as the next Liverpool manager following the decision of Jurgen Klopp to leave the Reds after a nine-year spell in charge at Anfield.
However, the 39-year-old coach has strongly refuted suggestions that he has already agreed to take charge of the Premier League giants, insisting that his entire focus is on leading Sporting to a second league title of his reign, which would be sweet music to the ears of Sporting faithfuls.
The Lions are unbeaten in their last three visits to Famalicao, drawing two and winning one of those matches. They will hope to make it two wins in a row at Stadium Municipal 22 de Junho.
Team News
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The hosts have a full squad ahead of Tuesday's clash, leaving the coach with several decisions to make against the league leaders.
However, all eyes will be on Cadiz who now has 13 league goals after the brace against Porto, as we expect the Venezuelan forward to spearhead Famalicao's attack once again.
The striker should receive support from Jose Luis Rodriguez, teenage forward Gustavo Sa and Brazilian forward Sorriso.
Sporting Lisbon first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Adan returned to training last week following a thigh injury, and could be involved in this clash.
In-demand striker Viktor Gyokeres is leading the goalscoring charts for the Lions and in the entire division, finding the net on 22 occasions in 27 Primeira Liga matches. He will be looking to add more goals with Braga's Simon Banza breathing down his neck.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nathan, De Haas, Mihaj, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Rodriguez, Sa, Sorriso; Cadiz
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; St Juste, Coates, Inacio; Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Matheus; Trincao, Goncalves, Gyokeres
We say: Famalicao 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting are in title-mode right now and it will take a lot to stop them. The Lions also have a decent record away at Famalicao, winning three times and losing just once in six visits. While we are not expecting a drubbing, we think the visitors will leave here with three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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