Sporting Lisbon vs. Vitória de Guimarães – News and Probable Lineups

A struggling Sporting Lisbon aims to get back to winning ways as they host Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Sunday night.

Within a two-week span, the Lions have shifted from title contenders to having to fight for Champions League qualification, while the Conquerors have gained new momentum in their quest for a top-half finish.

Match overview

Just a fortnight ago, Sporting was still in contention for their third consecutive Primeira Liga title, sitting second and trailing the leaders Porto by five points, who had played one match more.

However, a last-minute loss in the Derby de Lisboa allowed Benfica to overtake Rui Borges’ team into second place, followed by additional points dropped in a 1-1 draw against bottom-placed AVS and a 2-2 home draw with 17th-placed Tondela in their rescheduled midweek match.

Sporting had taken a two-goal lead thanks to Luis Suarez’s opener in the 62nd minute and a Joao Silva own goal. It seemed as if they were on course for a victory after Rui Silva saved a stoppage-time penalty, only for the opposition to score twice afterwards, with one of the goals coming from Salvador Blopa accidentally sending the ball into his own net.

This outcome leaves Borges’ squad without a win in their last five matches across all competitions (D4, L1), a stretch that also confirmed their exit from the Champions League in the quarter-finals, although they secured a spot in the Taca de Portugal final during this period.

Currently in third place in the Primeira Liga with three matches left, the Lions are no longer mathematically in contention for the title, as they are nine points behind the leaders Porto, who also have a better head-to-head record.

Sporting is also two points behind second-placed Benfica, which means Borges’ team can’t afford another slip here in their pursuit for Champions League qualification, although their home record provides some optimism with 11 wins from 15 league matches at Alvalade this season (D2, L2).

Meanwhile, Vitoria is experiencing their best league form since winning the Taca da Liga in January, having accumulated 10 points from the last 12 on offer, with their latest success being a 2-0 victory over Rio Ave in Guimaraes through second-half goals from Samu and Tony Strata.

This win positions Gil Lameiras’ side seventh in the table, nine points behind fifth-placed Famalicao, who also maintain a better head-to-head advantage, indicating the Conquerors will miss out on European qualification for a second consecutive season.

Regardless, Vitoria will look to finish the season strongly and come into this weekend’s fixture against Lisbon with confidence, given they have avoided defeat in their last two away matches, drawing at AVS and winning 1-0 at Gil Vicente, following a stretch of five consecutive away league losses.

The Guimaraes team has also tightened their defense, conceding just once in their last four encounters, and it will be interesting to see how they manage against a Sporting side that has netted a league-high 77 goals.

Vitoria has also held their own in recent encounters, winning two of the last six matchups with Sporting (D1, L3), including a 2-1 win in their latest clash in the Taca da Liga semi-final.

Team News

In Sporting’s midweek draw against Tondela, Geny Catamo had to leave the pitch late in the game, making the Mozambique winger a significant doubt for this weekend’s match.

Additionally, Ivan Fresneda, Morten Hjulmand, Goncalo Inacio, Fotis Ioannidis, and Joao Simoes are all believed to remain out as they continue their recovery from injuries.

Suarez’s goal last match was his 25th in the Primeira Liga this season, placing him four ahead of Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis in the race for the Golden Boot.

As for Vitoria, they might again be without midfielder Alioune Ndoye, who has missed the last four matchday squads.

Gustavo Sa was injured in the previous match, putting his availability in doubt, and if he is ruled out, veteran forward Nelson Oliveira may lead the attack.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting XI:

Silva; Vangiannidis, Quaresma, Debast, Araujo; Braganca, Morita; Goncalves, Trincao, Quenda; Suarez

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting XI:

Charles; Maga, Rivas, Balieiro, Mendes; SOUZA, Beni; Camara, Samu, Saviolo; Oliveira

Sporting has appeared vulnerable in recent weeks, but they understand the significance of avoiding another mistake that could hinder their ambitions for Champions League football.

With this urgency in mind, the Lions ought to find a way to prevail in this match, although an in-form Vitoria side could prove challenging for the hosts.