Sporting Lisbon is set to host Nacional at Estadio Jose Alvalade as they try to narrow the gap to Primeira Liga leaders Porto. Currently, Sporting trails Porto by seven points, while Nacional sits five points clear of the relegation zone.
Match Preview
This upcoming match on Sunday marks an important opportunity for Sporting Lisbon. They have consistently faced their closest title challengers recently but have struggled to capitalize. Despite their recent win against Arouca, Porto’s ongoing success widened the gap, placing Sporting in a challenging position.
Sporting Lisbon is currently enjoying a strong season. They have registered an impressive 15 victories in their 19 league matches, with only three draws and one defeat. Their attack is particularly formidable, leading the league with 52 goals.
Previous Encounters
Historically, Sporting Lisbon has had an upper hand against Nacional. They have won their last seven meetings. In fact, Sporting claimed a dominant 4-1 victory in their first encounter this season, scoring multiple goals in six of their last seven matches against Nacional.
Recent Performance
Sporting recently secured a place in the Champions League’s knockout stage, following a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. This victory adds to their already impressive form, with eight wins in their last ten matches across all competitions.
Nacional, on the other hand, ended a four-match winless streak with a resounding 4-0 triumph over Rio Ave. This victory marked their most significant win in over a decade. However, consistency has been a challenge, culminating in only five wins from their 19 league matches this season.
Defensive Challenges
While Nacional’s attack has shown promise, scoring a total of 26 goals, their defense has been leaky. They have conceded 28 goals, illustrating ongoing vulnerabilities. Away from home, they have not won any of their last six league matches, further complicating their prospects.
Team News
Sporting Lisbon’s injury concerns are easing. Eduardo Quaresma has returned to action, and Daniel Braganca is back from his knee injury. However, defender Goncalo Inacio is likely to miss this match due to injury. Matheus Reis is also suspended following his red card in the previous game.
Nacional’s injury woes continue, with defensive players Ivanildo Fernandes and Ulisses unavailable. Additionally, Filipe Soares remains sidelined. Defensive depth may be a concern as they face a potent Sporting attack.
Predictions
Sporting Lisbon is heavily favored in this matchup. Their solid home record, with a streak of victories, supports the expectation of a decisive win. Analysts suggest a predicted scoreline of Sporting Lisbon 3, Nacional 0 due to the host’s form and historical dominance over Nacional.
| Team | Recent Form (L-W-D) |
|---|---|
| Sporting Lisbon | W-W-W-W-L |
| Nacional | W-L-D-L-L |
