Famalicão vs Sporting

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Mid-table team Famalicao is set to host league leaders Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Primeira Liga at the Municipal Stadium Famalicao on Saturday night.

Despite losing their last five matches against Sporting Lisbon, Famalicao aims to pull off an unexpected upset to distance themselves from the relegation zone and potentially inject some excitement into the title race.

Famalicao's recent setback came with a 1-0 defeat to Moreirense at the Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Despite holding on defensively in the first half, Maracas's 82nd-minute goal for Moreirense sealed the fate of Famalicao.

Before this loss, Joao Pedro Sousa's team secured their first victory of the year on January 13, defeating 10-man Casa Pia 2-0 at the Estadio Pina Manique, breaking a six-game winless streak across all competitions. However, their momentum was short-lived as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Braga in the subsequent match.

Famalicao, currently sitting in 10th place with 22 points from seven wins, seven draws, and seven losses in 19 Primeira Liga matches, is five points above the relegation playoff spot. While they have been more successful at home than on the road, their recent form at the Municipal Stadium Famalicao includes four consecutive winless matches.

The upcoming challenge for Famalicao is particularly daunting as they face Sporting Lisbon, a team they have only beaten twice in 14 encounters, with the last five meetings ending in defeats for Famalicao.

There are no suspended or injured players for the hosts going into this game.

With six league goals so far, Jhonder Cadiz tops the Vila Nova's goal scoring table and is predicted to lead the assault once more.

Hidemasa Morita, who is presently playing for the Japanese national team in the Asian Cup, and Ousmane Diomande, who is traveling with Ivory Coast for the AFCON, will not be available for the visitors.

Regarding injuries, the Lions are still without adolescent defender Ivan Fresneda and player Jerry St. Juste, who are recovering from shoulder and muscular ailments, respectively.

On the contrary, Sporting Lisbon is currently in excellent form with a series of six consecutive victories in the league, including an impressive 8-0 win against Casa Pia in their recent match.

This marks their second 8-0 triumph this season, echoing their success in the Taca de Portugal against Dumiense CJPII back in November. Sebastian Coates, Viktor Gyokeres, and Francisco Trincao each scored two goals, while Pedro Goncalves and Geny Catamo also contributed to the scoreline.

With a determination to reclaim the Primeira Liga title, which they last secured in the 2020-21 season, Sporting Lisbon has had a remarkable campaign, accumulating 49 points from their first 19 games. They are currently one point ahead of Benfica in second place and five points clear of Porto in third.

Sporting Lisbon's pursuit of another title has been propelled by their formidable attack, the most prolific in the league with 53 goals. Famalicao, having managed only one clean sheet in their last nine games, might face a challenging evening against Sporting's potent offense.

Buoyed by their confidence from the winning streak, Sporting Lisbon is considered the favorite to extend their run in the upcoming Saturday match against Famalicao. Importantly, Sporting Lisbon has not suffered a defeat against Famalicao since 2020.