Sporting Lisbon dey travel to already-relegated AVS this weekend, and dis match na chance for dem to return to winning ways and breathe life into dem title charge. Di Lions no don win for each of dem last three outings across all competitions, with two draws and one loss. Dis run don make dem slip to third for Primeira Liga table, although dem still secure progression to Taca de Portugal final during dat stretch.
Sporting don endure a challenging spell of late, with di Lions’ only win across dem last five matches for all competitions coming for a 1-0 success at Estrela Amadora on matchday 29, when hopes of closing for di summit still dey alive. However, a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Benfica for last weekend’s Lisbon derby at Estadio Jose Alvalade don dent dat ambition, leaving Rui Borges‘ side one point behind di second-placed Eagles and eight adrift of di summit, albeit with a game for hand.
With five matches left to overturn dat deficit, hopes of repeating last season’s league and cup double don take a significant hit, although Sporting fit at least take encouragement from reaching another Taca de Portugal final. Dem secure a 1-0 victory for di first leg of dem semi-final for March, and Borges’ men hold Porto to a goalless draw at Estadio do Dragao for midweek to seal progression, setting up a final against second-tier Torreense.
Despite advancing, dat result underline a dip for attacking output, with Sporting failing to score for three of dem last five matches – including di goalless draw at Arsenal wey complete dem Champions League exit – and managing just two goals across dat period. However, having net a league-high 74 times dis season, di Lions’ attacking struggles appear more a temporary blip, and facing an AVS side wey don concede di most goals for di division (64) suggest Sunday’s trip offer an ideal chance to respond.
Aside from defensive frailties, AVS don also struggle for other areas, scoring di joint-fewest goals for di league (21), registering di least number of victories (one), while dem 19 defeats be di highest tally for di division. Winless for dem last eight matches, di Vila das Aves outfit don at least show some resilience for recent weeks, following dem draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes with a 2-2 result at Rio Ave last weekend.
After falling behind, AVS turn di contest around through efforts from Tomane and Pedro Lima either side of di interval, only to concede an equaliser 11 minutes from regulation time, a result wey ultimately confirm di end of dem two-year stay for di top flight. With four games remaining, Joao Henriques‘ side sit bottom of di table and 13 points adrift of di playoff spot, meaning dem go head into Sunday’s clash playing only for pride.
However, losing nine of dem 15 home league matches dis season suggest AVS fit struggle again, although a 2-2 draw for dem only previous meeting with Sporting at Estadio do CD Aves offer some encouragement. Meanwhile, dis season’s reverse fixture end for a 6-0 defeat for di Vila das Aves club, who go dey look to avoid a first league double for dis matchup.
Wednesday’s clash with Porto bring fresh concerns for Sporting, with centre-back Goncalo Inacio and captain Morten Hjulmand both forced off injured, leaving dem doubtful for dis weekend’s trip. Maxi Araujo also pick up a knock for dat encounter, and e remain to see weda dem go risk am or rest am, with Ricardo Mangas a reliable option at left-back.
Ivan Fresneda continue im recovery from a muscle problem, while Fotis Ioannidis remain sidelined with a knee injury, although Nuno Santos be back available after missing di last five matches due to fitness issues. Leading di Golden Boot race with 24 goals, Luis Suarez remain Sporting’s primary attacking option, although e no go be surprise if di Colombian be rested here, potentially allowing Rafael Nel to start upfront.
For AVS, Antoine Baroan appear to be di only player for di treatment room, with di forward still recovering from di injury wey im sustain for di Taca de Portugal clash with Sporting earlier dis year. Meanwhile, di hosts go also dey without Tomane, who score last time out but be suspended due to an accumulation of bookings.
AVS possible starting lineup: Adriel; Pivo, Devenish, Vitor, Rivas; Mendonca, Roni, Lima; Akinsola, Duarte, Perea. Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup: Silva; Vagiannidis, Diamonde, Debast, Mangas; Braganca, Morita; Quenda, Trincao, Pote; Nel.
Coming off a demanding run of fixtures, Sporting fit be somewhat fatigued on Sunday, with several key players also carrying fitness concerns, wey fit make dis contest more challenging than e appear on paper. Nonetheless, we expect di Lions to grind out a result here, knowing dat any slip-up go all but end dem title hopes while also placing dem top-two ambitions for jeopardy.
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