Sporting CP vs Famalicao Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Sporting CP vs Famalicao on and what time does it start? Sporting CP vs Famalicao will take place on Sunday 27th August, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sporting CP vs Famalicao? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Sporting CP vs Famalicao on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Sporting CP vs Famalicao in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
SPORTING CP
Ruben Amorim is one of the most coveted young football managers across Europe but his stock has fallen in recent times with Sporting CP finishing fourth last season and missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification. The Lisbon club have had an ambitious summer transfer window and their star recruit, Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City, has begun the 2023/24 Primeira Liga season in excellent form.
Sporting hosted Vizela on the opening day and quick-fire first-half brace from Gyokeres gave Sporting a 2-0 lead but Vizela fought back to 2-2 in the second-half before Nuno Santos scored a late and dramatic winner. In their second match of the season, Sporting managed to see of a disciplined and stubborn Casa Pia side with Paulinho notching a brace and helping his side to be one of just four teams to have started the season with back-to-back victories.
FAMALICAO
Last season, Famalicao were one of the stronger sides in the second-half of the 2022/23 Portuguese Primeira Liga season, eventually finishing in the top-half, missing out on the top six and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification spots by just a few points. This time around, playing a style of football that is not necessarily representative of Portuguese football on the whole, they’ll be seeking to challenge for a top six spot.
Under the management of Joao Pedro Sousa, Famalicao began their campaign with their progressive style earning them a surprising 2-1 win away at Sporting Braga on the opening day of the season. They followed that up by being frustrated against newly-promoted Moreirense, sharing a goalless draw with the side who are also seeking to play a more ambitious and front foot style of football.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPORTING CP
Ruben Amorin is able to likely welcome back Jeremiah St. Juste back into his squad after he was absent due to injury last weekend. Sporting will likely remain unchanged for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Morita, Goncalves, Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres, Paulinho
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: St. Juste (Injured)
FAMALICAO
Famalicao will likely name an unchanged eleven for all but one of their side with Pablo out of this weekend due to a suspension, due to his red card last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Junior; Aguirregabiria, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Liimatta, Youssouf, Assuncao, Aranda; Araujo, Cadiz
UNAVAILABLE: Felipe (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This one is expected to be quite an entertaining encounter. Portuguese domestic football has gained a negative reputation of late with fairly and reactive tactics being the order of the day for most teams. That is why Ruben Amorim’s attacking innovation was so widely liked until the recent stagnation. Up against a Famalicao side that will go the Jose Alvalade and seek to play in a similar manner, Sporting may well come out on top but it should remain an entertaining encounter for the neutral.
TIP: SPORTING CP TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
