Primeira Liga | Gameweek 7

Sep 27, 2024 at 8.15pm UK

Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota

Estoril vs Sporting Lisbon

Match preview

Although Estoril have notched one victory at the start of the 2024-25 season, performances since Cathro sorted out work permit issues and settled in Lisbon have improved.

The Canaries secured a 1-0 success over Nacional in gameweek five following two losses to Santa Clara (4-1) and Vitoria Guimaraes (1-0) and consecutive goalless games against Gil Vicente and Boavista in the opening four rounds.

While a three-match run without conceding ended at Rio Ave last week, the game's flow underscored Estoril's upswing under their new boss, as they snatched a draw despite trailing 2-0 on the hour mark.

That point showcased the growing confidence of Cathro's men, even if their bubble could burst against the league's defending champions in Friday's Lisbon derby.

The fixture has been dominated by the 20-time Portuguese champions, who have notched six consecutive victories in this head-to-head, and the hosts hope to avoid a seventh straight loss.

A positive outcome for Estoril is an uphill task against the only Portuguese top-flight team yet to drop points after six games, with Amorim's side notching six wins from six to start their title defence commendably.

The top showing in that run came in the 2-0 success over Porto before the first international break of 24-25 in September, and the favourites aim to claim a seventh triumph.

Perhaps more pleasing for Leoes are their run of consecutive clean sheets in the league — extending to their Champions League opener against Lille — which reads four in the Primeira Liga and five in all competitions.

Nacional's Nigel Thomas was the last opponent to score against the defending Portuguese champions, a goal that brought Sporting to life as they notched five without reply in that gameweek two 6-1 victory over the promoted side.

The Lions' dominance in this fixture is highlighted by their six-match winning sequence and five clean sheets, with Estoril's only goal in that period coming in last term's reverse fixture, which ended 5-1; Amorim's troops aim for another positive outcome this Friday.

Recent Performance

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:LLDDWD

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:WWWWWW

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Injuries and suspensions

Estoril Praia

10 Jordan Holsgrove

12 João Carvalho

88 Xeka

Sporting Lisbon

13 Vladan Kovačević

25 Gonçalo Inácio

3 Jerry St. Juste

72 Eduardo Quaresma

8 Pedro Gonçalves

19 Marcus Edwards

Possible starting lineups

Estoril Praia(4-3-3)

27Robles(GK)

20Pina(DR)

44Boma(DC)

23Álvaro(DC)

24Amaral(DL)

7Zanocelo(MC)

6Jandro Orellana(MC)

8Michel(MC)

19Lacximicant(FWR)

14Begraoui(FW)

17Fabrício Garcia(FWL)

Sporting Lisbon(3-4-3)

1Israel(GK)

6Debast(DC)

2Reis(DC)

26Diomande(DC)

57Quenda(DMR)

11Santos(DML)

42Hjulmand(MC)

23Bragança(MC)

17Trincão(FWR)

9Gyökeres(FW)

19Harder(FWL)