Lions have 89 goals in the League, the Algarve have already conceded 66! In Alvalade there is an atmosphere of euphoria, victory this Saturday leaves the green and whites cheering for Famalicão, who if they take points from the eagles allows them to celebrate the national sporting title
The best attack against the worst defense in the League today at the José Alvalade Stadium, starting at 6 pm. Sporting (89 goals scored) against Portimonense (66 conceded), the leader dreaming of the title, the 16th fighting to get out of the play-off position.
Sporting scored in every game in this edition of the League; away from home, where they haven’t lost in two, Portimonense conceded goals in every match.
Alvalade will have a party atmosphere. Leo fans are preparing for another great welcome to the team, around an hour and a half before the start of the game. Before that, at 4 pm, the stadium doors open and many will try to take their seats immediately so as not to miss a hint of what is being prepared inside the venue.
Victory this Saturday with Portimonense leaves the lion waiting for Benfica’s result, this Sunday, with Famalicão, to be able to grab the national title; 50 thousand in support of the team and with tribute to Manuel Fernandes; eleven also in… gala
There will be 50 thousand spectators filling the stadium, many traveling from far away from Lisbon, as this will be the core game, reserved for many Leonine delegations to be present at the main venue. Everyone will participate in the choreography that will also be a tribute to Manuel Fernandes, the eternal Leo captain who is going through a difficult health moment, when the teams take the field.
In their stronghold, the green and whites have not lost in the League for 22 games, this season the 15 games already played in Alvalade for the championship count as victories.
In the accounting between the two teams, for the League, there is a record of 41 games, with 31 victories for Sporting, five draws and five triumphs for the Algarve.
Sporting wants to celebrate the national title as soon as possible. And he can do it this weekend, although it will not depend exclusively on himself: he will have to beat Portimonense and hope that Benfica, this Sunday, does not win at Famalicão.
At game time, at the flower of the grass on the well-maintained Alvalade ground, it will be 18 degrees and the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere predicts light rain or drizzle. The wind will blow moderately.
Sporting
The lions are coming from a draw at Dragão, 2-2 taken at the end, goals from Gyokeres (87′ and 88′) who, spared in the first half for having spent the week with physical problems, came on at half-time. Gonçalo Inácio played on the left wing but is preparing to return to the central trio – Nuno Santos takes over on the wing. Oh, and of course, Gyokeres is back in the starting lineup this time.
Sporting’s probable eleven: Israel; St. Juste, Coates and Gonçalo Inácio; Geny Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita and Nuno Santos; Trincão, Gyokeres and Pedro Gonçalves
Injured: Adán
Punished: Edwards
What Rúben Amorim (Sporting coach) said
«Can this game be more important than the one against Dragão? Different context, different approach, quality of the teams, with all due respect, is different. Everyone is fighting for the goals, we have a very big one, to win the game and get closer to the championship, against a team with very good characteristics. We suffered a lot to win there, we have to be intelligent, but we have everything thought out.”
The figure: Gyokeres
Who else? Last Sunday, the 25-year-old Swedish goalscorer prevented the Lions from losing at Dragão with two goals and increased his number of goals in the championship to 26 – 40 in total across all competitions. He will start this Saturday, once again in a season that is already his best ever, surpassing the previous one, in which he managed 22 goals in 50 games for Coventry, from where he transferred last summer in exchange for 20 million euros. He has a contract until 2028 and a release clause of 100 million euros.
The Portimonense
The Algarve lost at home in the previous round, 0-2 against Moreirense, and after Alvalade they host Rio Ave and go to rival Farense. With five players yellowed – Igor Formiga, Pedrão, Relvas and Gonçalo Costa, all defenders, in addition to Dener, a midfielder who has not been a starter – at risk of punishment, there is the possibility of some savings, something that, however, Paulo Sérgio it’s no use.
Probable eleven for Portimonense: Nakamura; Guga, Pedrão, Alemão and Seck; Fukui and Lucas Ventura; Luan Campos, Carlinhos and Hélio Varela; Tamble Monteiro
Injured: Zinho
What Paulo Sérgio (Portimonense coach) said
The Portimonense coach wants his players to be away from the euphoria surrounding the Lions and to show the ability to compete with an opponent with the “monster” quality that Sporting has demonstrated.
«We have to look at ourselves and continue what we have done competently in the last few days. And improve, if possible. We know that the task will be difficult, but our intention, our mentality is always the same, is to try to set things up in such a way as to be able to complicate life for an opponent who, obviously, we recognize is vastly superior. We have to find a strategy, an attitude, a way to compete, so that we know how to be in the game and compete in it. It is a test of our ability. Always thinking positive, we work to be able to go to Alvalade and be competitive. We have to stay away from everything around us, because that cannot interfere with what we have to do on the field.”
The figure: Carlinhos
29-year-old Brazilian midfielder is a fundamental piece of Paulo Sérgio’s strategy. Present in 33 of the Algarve’s 35 games this season in total competitions, he was always a starter. He has already scored 10 goals and made six assists. He is in his third season in Portimão, where he arrived after two seasons at Vasco.
