Looking to move one step closer to the league crown, Sporting Lisbon will make the trip to face relegation-threatened Gil Vicente at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Friday night in the Primeira Liga.
The Roosters are sliding towards the drop zone following a worrying run of form, whilst the Lions are looking to extend their impressive unbeaten streak of late.
Match preview
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Gil Vicente extended their winless run in the Primeira Liga to a highly-concerning six matches last Saturday, suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat at the home of Rio Ave, who are also struggling near the bottom of the division as the campaign reaches its business end.
The Roosters found themselves chasing a two-goal deficit following half time after Joao Teixeira and Abdul-Aziz Yakubu found the net in the first period for the hosts, with 28-year-old Joca adding a third in the second half to secure maximum points for Luis Freire's men.
Since the goalless draw versus bottom side Chaves on March 11, Gil Vicente have lost three-straight matches in the Primeira Liga, leaving Friday's hosts to worryingly look over their shoulders despite a relatively positive opening to the 2023-24 term.
Vitor Campelos's troops are currently occupying 14th position in the top-flight standings after collecting just three points from their last six league outings, meaning that they are above 16th-placed Portimonense by just two points heading into the final six matches of the term.
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Since their exit from the Europa League at the hands of Serie A outfit Atalanta BC prior to the international break, Sporting Lisbon have responded brilliantly to their continental disappointment, winning three-straight Primeira Liga matches as they strive to lift the league title.
Having squeezed past Benfica in the Portuguese Cup four days earlier, the Lions secured a league success over the second-placed side on Saturday afternoon, when a brace from Geny Catamo either side of the half-time whistle sealed a much-needed three points.
Having won their last five 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 Roger Schmidt's Benfica, who have played a game more.
Attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League, Viktor Gyokeres is leading the goalscoring charts for the Lions and in the entire division, finding the net on 22 occasions in 26 Primeira Liga matches since securing a move from Coventry City in the summer.
It is not only players who are set to depart Estadio Jose Alvalade in the summer, though, with head coach Ruben Amorim 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.
Amorim himself strongly refuted suggestions that he has already agreed to take charge of the Premier League giants in the build-up to this game, insisting that his entire focus is on leading Sporting to a second league title of his reign, having ended their 19-year drought in 2020-21.
Indeed, a domestic double is still on the table for the capital outfit having also reached the Taca da Liga final, so Amorim will be keen to keep all of the focus on on-the-pitch matters despite the growing noise surrounding his own future.
Team News
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After receiving his marching orders in the loss at Rio Ave last time out, Gil Vicente winger Tidjany Toure will be suspended for the visit of the league leaders on Friday night.
The Roosters will therefore require a shuffle of their pack in attacking areas, with the likes of Felix Correia and Mory Gbane pushing for starts.
Sporting Lisbon could welcome Antonio Adan back to the starting side, with the goalkeeper returning to training this week following a thigh injury.
However, if the Spaniard is not passed fit, it will be down to Franco Israel to add to his single clean sheet in five Primeira Liga appearances so far in 2023-24.
There could be a change in the engine room for Amorim's side, with Hidemasa Morita potentially being replaced by 24-year-old Daniel Braganca.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Pinto, Pereira, Fernandes, Buta; Tiba, Neto, Murillo, Fujimoto, Correia; Depu
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; St Juste, Coates, Inacio; Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Matheus; Trincao, Goncalves, Gyokeres
We say: Gil Vicente 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
Gil Vicente are enduring a poor run of form, and the visit of the league leaders is not an ideal moment to try and turn those fortunes around.
Sporting Lisbon are coming into this clash after back-to-back meetings with Benfica, so we feel that Amorim's side will be more than ready to earn three points on Friday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
