Verdict: Luis Suarez over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to move within touching distance of top spot in the Primeira Liga standings, Sporting Lisbon will travel to Guimaraes on Tuesday night.
Vitoria Guimaraes
Starting with the hosts, watching their Taca de Portugal adventure come to a shock end last week as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against AFS, Vitoria are desperately seeking an immediate response here. Suffering a first defeat across any competition since returning from November’s international break, Luis Pinto’s side will be more than aware that they have another monumental challenge on their hands in midweek. Winning just a trio of their previous eight showdowns in front of their own supporters, Guimaraes should also be concerned by a nightmare record against the reigning Portuguese champions. Falling to a routine 2-0 defeat when they last met Sporting Lisbon back on May 17th, they have recorded just a single win from any of their last 13 consecutive meetings against the Lions – a run that stems all the way back to December 2018.
Vitoria Guimaraes Team News
Not featuring since back in September and still dealing with a recent muscle issue, Vitoria Guimaraes will once again miss out here. However, aside from the former Nacional striker, Pinto’s men have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.
Bagging a third Primeira Liga strike of the season away at Rio Ave last week and now registering five direct goal contributions in his previous seven appearances across all competitions, 18-year-old Oumar Camara should play a leading role in the final third.
Sporting Lisbon
As for the visitors, opening the midweek fixtures sat five points adrift of arch-rivals Porto and reclaiming their spot at the top of the Primeira Liga table, Sporting Lisbon will know the importance of making a statement here. Extending on their Taca de Portugal adventure as they clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Santa Clara, the reigning Portuguese champions are enjoying a real domestic flurry. Last seen in top-flight action breezing their way to an empathic 6-0 romp against AFC, Tuesday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive domestic showdowns across all fronts – a run that stems all the way back to the end of August. Likewise, yet to suffer a single Primeira Liga defeat on their travels so far this season and they are once again pencilled in as a standout contender on Tuesday night.
Sporting Lisbon Team News
Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Sporting Lisbon will once again be without former Benfica striker Nuno Santos on Tuesday night. Likewise, dealing with respective knee injuries, both Daniel Braganca and Belgium international Zeno Debast remain on the sidelines.
Reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest, Danish international Morten Hjulmand should be handed a full Primeira Liga recall. Completing a summer switch from Almeria and already registering 11 top-flight strikes, Luis Suarez will lead the line in midweek.
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Sporting Lisbon Key Factors to Consider
- When Vitoria Guimaraes and Sporting Lisbon last met back on May 17th, the Lions collected a 2-0 victory on home soil.
- In fact, the reigning Portuguese champions have lost just one of their previous 13 showdowns against Tuesday’s hosts.
- Sporting Lisbon are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive domestic showdowns across all fronts – a run that stems all the way back to the end of August.
- Colombian international Luis Suarez has registered 11 goals in his 14 Primeira Liga appearances this season.
- Guimaraes have drawn back-to-back blanks in front of their own supporters for the first time this calendar year.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can move within touching distance of their arch-rivals on Tuesday night, Sporting Lisbon will be looking to make a statement here. With their sights firmly set on defending their domestic crown this season, the Lions are pencilled in as a standout contender in midweek. Landing a routine 2-0 win when they last met Vitoria Guimaraes back on May 17th, Sporting hold a dominant record against Tuesday’s opponents. Suffering just a single loss from any of their previous 13 meetings, the reigning Portuguese champions will should be excited by a trip to the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.
Verdict: Luis Suarez over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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