The Portuguese Liga returns to action this week and Sporting Lisbon can take a big step toward a top-four finish. The club go away to Vitória Guimarães on Thursday with just four points separating them from fifth-placed Rio Ave.
Vitória Guimarães are just five points off of the top four and could pull closer with a win at home. They go into the fixture in good form having won three straight Portuguese Liga matches.
In comparison, Ruben Amormim’s Sporting Lisbon have been inconsistent over the course of their last six games in the league. Sporting Lisbon took 10 points from their last 18 possible with three of those six games ending in wins.
Vitória Guimarães have put together a good home record in 2019-20 with 20 points from 36 possible taken. The team have allowed the third-fewest goals in the division at home with a mere 10 allowed. They have scored 20 goals at the opposite end of the pitch.
Amormim’s team have struggled on the road at times and are winless in three straight road fixtures. Just 18 points from 36 possible have been taken away from the Estádio José Alvalade. Goal scoring has been an issue for Sporting Lisbon with only 18 tallied away from home.
Can Amormim’s team get in form with the Covid-19 break now over in Portugal? The Lions have won back to back games versus Vitória Guimarães. Their match earlier this season saw Sporting Lisbon claim a 3-1 victory.
Sporting Lisbon striker Luciano Vietto scored twice while Sebastian Coates added a third. Vitória Guimarães scored their only goal of the game through ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Leo Bonatini.
Vietto has scored four goals since arriving at Sporting Lisbon. He is the team’s current second-leading scorer as the Lions have struggled to cope with Bruno Fernandes’ January departure. A lack of goals has plagued the Lions.
Vitória Guimarães’ Joao Teixeira leads the team in goals with six strikes in Liga NOS. They have scored 40 league goals as a team.
The Lions have outscored Vitória Guimarães 11-5 over the course of their last six matches in all competitions. Three of those last six games ended with over 2.5 goals scored.
Contagem decrescente... ⌛⚽ Vitória SC 🆚 #SportingCP 📆 04.06 | 🕘 21h15📺 SportTV1 pic.twitter.com/lUYX32yqr3— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) June 2, 2020
Contagem decrescente... ⌛⚽ Vitória SC 🆚 #SportingCP 📆 04.06 | 🕘 21h15📺 SportTV1 pic.twitter.com/lUYX32yqr3
Thursday night’s match could follow the same format as the teams’ previous fixture. The two club should combine for over 2.5 goals with both finding the back of the net as Sporting Lisbon claim all three points away from home.