The final match of 2023 in the Primeira Liga will see Sporting Lisbon travel to Estadio Municipal de Portimao to face off against Portimonense on Saturday evening.
The hosts are currently in 12th place in the league standings with 15 points in 14 matches, while the visitors are leading the way with 34 points and will be aiming to end the year in pole position.
Match preview
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After finishing the 2022-23 season as the first side above the bottom three, Portimonense have yet to hit top gear this season and are still uncomfortably close to the drop zone, just three points above Gil Vicente, who are the first side below the dotted line.
The White and Blacks were not involved in the cup competition last week, meaning they have had almost two full weeks off following their 5-2 thumping at the hands of Moreirense on December 17.
Despite goals from Sylvester Jasper and Filipe Relvas pulling them back into that contest after going two goals down early in the match, Paulo Sergio's side's defensive frailties were made evident once again as they conceded three goals inside the final six minutes of regulation time.
Os Marafados now possess the league's second-worst defensive record this season, with a whopping 32 goals conceded in just 14 games, while only bottom club Chaves have fared worse, letting in 38 to date.
Unfortunately for Portimonense, they are now set to face Sporting, who have beaten them in nine consecutive matches dating back to 2019 and have outscored them 23-7 during that time.
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Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon were involved in the Taca da Liga competition last week and secured a 2-1 win over Tondela to top the group and book their place in the semi-final, where they will face Braga.
That result took them to three wins in succession following two huge wins a week earlier, including a 2-0 win over Porto, which allowed them to maintain the lead in the league, and a 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz that sealed their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The Lions' major strength this season has been their home record, as they have won all eight matches at Jose Alvalade Stadium, but their away record has been less impressive, with three wins in six games and heading into this one following back-to-back road losses against Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes.
While this is a fixture that they have dominated in recent seasons, Ruben Amorim will know that his side cannot afford to take it easy here with Benfica breathing down their necks, one point behind, while Porto are also within striking distance.
Team News
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Portimonense have no injury concerns heading into the final match of the year, though they will be without the services of two of their players, starting with Ronie Carrillo, who will serve the second of a three-match suspension for the red card he received against Famalicao a couple of weeks ago.
The other absentee is Midana Cassama, who was sent off against Casa Pia at the start of the month and will be sitting out the final of his three-game ban this weekend.
Carrillo's absence will likely mean that Paulinho will continue in the number nine role, with Jasper and Helio Varela expected to join him in the front three.
Sporting are set to be without four players for this match, with Jerry St Juste ruled out until January with a muscle injury while Ivan Fresneda is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
Geny Catamo made a cameo appearance off the bench against Tondela but has been flagged as a doubt for this match, and Sebastian Coates is set for a spell on the sideline due to a muscle injury.
Viktor Gyokeres has been in good form this season, currently second in the goal scorer standings in the league, and he should lead the line again alongside Marcus Edwards and Pedro Goncalves.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Silvestre; Ventura, Pedrao, Relvas; Guga, Carlinhos, Dener, Costa; Jasper, Paulinho, Varela
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio; Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Reis; Edwards, Gyokeres, Goncalves
We say: Portimonense 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting head into this match following a positive run of results, but the job is far from over, with Benfica and Porto still hot on their heels. The Lions are in good form lately, and we expect them to continue in that vein with another league win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
