Fresh off the back of a huge Champions League victory, high-flying Sporting return to action in the Portuguese Primeira when they play host to Estrela Amadora on Saturday.
Having lost each of the previous six meetings between the two teams, Estrela will journey to the Estadio Jose Alvalade looking to get one over the hosts and move into the top half of the table.
Contents
- 1 Sporting vs Estrela prediction: Sporting to extend dominance in this fixture
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Sporting with a 100% record
- 3 Sporting Lisbon preview: Aiming to leapfrog rivals Porto into top spot in the league
- 4 Estrela preview: Aiming to continue new-found form
- 5 Player to watch — Luis Javier Suarez
Sporting vs Estrela prediction: Sporting to extend dominance in this fixture
Key stats
- There have been at least three goals scored in the previous six meetings between Sporting and Estrela, with both sides finding the back of the net in five of the six matches.
- Sporting have netted the opening goal in six of their most recent seven matches, with the 2-1 comeback victory over Santa Clara on November 8 being the exception.
- Estrela have failed to win seven of their most recent eight Primeira Liga away matches, losing four and picking up three draws since April 14.
- Sporting are unbeaten in each of their last eight home matches across all competitions, including five consecutive victories since a 1-1 draw against Braga in October.
Correct score prediction: Sporting 3-0 Estrela
Sporting have made the Estadio Jose Alvalade a fortress this season and will welcome the challenge of an Estrela side, who have managed just one easy win in the league since April.
Given the gulf in quality and depth between the two teams, we are backing Sporting Lisbon to make light work of the visitors and pick up a sixth straight home victory.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies have Sporting as firm favourites this weekend
- HOME: 1/8 (1.18) – 88.9%
- DRAW: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
- AWAY: 18/1 (19.00) – 5.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
With an 88.9% win probability, the bookmakers have significantly backed Sporting Lisbon to secure maximum points at the Estadio Jose Alvalade this weekend.
While Estrala will be out to secure their first win over the home side, they have been given a 5.3% chance of coming out on top, while there is a 10.5% possibility of the game ending in a deadlock.
While we take a deeper look into both teams, you can take a peek at some of FootballWhispers’ best picks and predictions for this weekend’s fixtures in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Sporting with a 100% record
Sporting Lisbon boast a perfect record in the history of this fixture, having won each of the six games against Estrela since their first encounter in December 2008.
Sporting Lisbon preview: Aiming to leapfrog rivals Porto into top spot in the league
Sporting Lisbon made light work of Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday as they cruised to a 3-0 victory when the two sides met in Portugal.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Geovany Quenda, Luis Javier Suarez and Francisco Trincao all hit the target to cap off a dominant team display and send Sporting into eighth place in the Champions League standings.
This followed an identical 3-0 home victory over Campeonato de Portugal outfit AC Marinhense on November 22, a result which saw Sporting book their spot in the round of 16 of the Taca de Portugal.
Rui Borges’s side, who are unbeaten in 10 straight matches across all competitions (8W 2D), now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign and could move into top spot this weekend.
Sporting have picked up nine wins and one draw from their 11 league matches so far to collect 28 points and sit second in the table, three points behind league leaders Porto.
Predicted lineup: Silva (GK), Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Reis, Simoes, Hjulmand, Catamo, Trincao, Quenda & Suarez
Last five games
- Sporting 3-0 Club Brugge
- Sporting 3-0 Marinhense
- Santa Clara 1-2 Sporting
- Juventus 1-1 Sporting
- Sporting 2-0 Alverca
Estrela preview: Aiming to continue new-found form
Estrela picked up a morale-boosting result last time out when they edged out Spanish outfit Real Valladolid on penalties in their friendly clash following a 2-2 stalemate in normal time.
Estrela now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they picked up a thrilling 5-3 victory over Casa Pia at the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on November 1, one week before playing out a 1-1 draw against Nacional on home turf.
Joao Nuno’s men now head into the weekend unbeaten in three consecutive games, picking up two wins and one draw, having failed to win 12 of the 13 competitive matches preceding this run since the start of May.
While Estrela will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling this weekend, results on the road offer little optimism, as the Tricolours have managed just one win from their eight away games in the league, while losing four and claiming three draws since April 19.
Predicted lineup: Ribeiro (GK), Patrick, Chernev, Montoia, Encada, Ngom, Moreira, Cabral, Marcus, Kikas & Robinho
Last five games
- Real Valladolid 2-2 Estrela (Estrela win on penalties)
- Estrela 1-1 Nacional
- Casa Pia 3-5 Estrela
- Estrela 1-2 Rio Ave
- Alpendorada 3-1 Estrela
Player to watch — Luis Javier Suarez
Luis Suarez continued his fine form in front of goal this season, netting one and setting up Quenda to inspire Sporting to a comfortable victory over Club Brugge in midweek.
With seven goals and two assists in the Primeira Liga this season, the Colombian striker has been on song for Sporting in the league and will be one to look out for this weekend.
Suarez, who has started all 11 league games so far, should retain his role in the XI, teaming up with Francisco Trincao and Geovany Quenda in the front three.