The race for the Primeira Liga title is still a relatively close one. One of the main protagonists is Sporting CP, who are six points clear at the top of the table.
The Lions face a crucial trip to Rio Ave on Wednesday night, as they look to hold off the challenge of reigning champions Porto.
Ruben Amorim’s team is unbeaten this season in the Portuguese top-flight. Their last defeat came on the last day of last season against champions Porto.
Since then, Sporting have claimed 23 wins and seven draws in the Portuguese top-flight. They head into this game after back-to-back wins over Sporting Braga and Nacional.
Those wins were achieved without conceding a goal, which is not a massive surprise considering that Sporting CP have conceded just 15 league goals this season, which is the best defensive record in the Portuguese top-flight.
At the other end of the pitch young attacking midfielder Bruno Goncalves has stolen the headlines, scoring 17 goals in 28 Primeira Liga appearances.
Inevitably the 22-year-old has earned comparisons with Bruno Fernandes, who now stars for Manchester United after making his name in Lisbon with Sporting.
Rio Ave are still in major danger of suffering relegation to the second tier, as they are just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot, but four clear of the bottom two. The home side cannot afford to rest on their laurels in such a precarious position.
Miguel Cardoso’s team are winless in their previous eight Primeira Liga outings, which has not helped their chances of breaking clear of the danger zone. However, six of Rio Ave’s last eight league matches have produced draws.
The home side have struggled for league wins on home soil, as they have failed to win in four Primeira Liga outings at the Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube, having failed to score in three of their last four matches on home soil.
Forebet predicts that Sporting will record a victory in a low-scoring clash to move one step closer to ending their long wait for a Primeira Liga title.
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