Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently in fifth place in the league standings with 22 points after the first 12 games, while the visitors sit atop the league table with 31 points, two clear of Benfica.

Match preview

Vitoria avoided their third league defeat in a row last week when they managed to secure a 2-1 win over Farense at Estadio de Sao Luis.

Tomas Ribeiro opened the scoring inside the first five minutes, and Jota Silva got the winner three minutes before the end after Bruno Duarte levelled proceedings from the penalty spot.

With that result, Os Vimaranenses moved above Moreirense into the top five and are now just four points behind Braga in the Europa Conference League qualifier spot.

Moreno's side have recorded four wins and two losses on home soil this season, but they were comfortably beaten by this opponent at this venue last season and have not taken a point off them in their last six meetings.

Meanwhile, Sporting brought up their 10th win in 12 league matches last weekend when they eased past Gil Vicente 3-1 back at Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Despite their opponents taking the lead just after the half-hour mark, it felt like it would be just a matter of time until the league leaders levelled the match, and they did so before the break and bossed the second half en route to claiming the points.

That result followed a 1-1 draw to Atalanta in the Europa League, which took them to eight points in their group and secured their place in the knockout round with one match still left to play.

While the Lions did lose their last away league game 2-1 to defending champions Benfica, it is worth noting that was the only away league defeat they have conceded in their last 14 matches on the road.

Sporting have won six on the bounce against this opponent and are heavily fancied to extend that record with another solid performance in this one.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

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Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

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Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

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Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

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Team News

Moreno is still without Telmo Arcanjo, who is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear, while Mikel Villanueva remains a major doubt due to a foot injury.

Andre Silva and Jota Silva should continue to lead the line, with Joao Mendes, Tomas Handel and Daniel Silva expected to make up the midfield trio behind them.

Ruben Amorim was able to welcome Goncalo Inacio back to the starting 11 last time out after this red card against Benfica, and the Portuguese international is likely to form the back three again in this match alongside Ousmane Diomande and Sebastian Coates.

In terms of injuries, Ivan Fresneda and Daniel Braganca have both been ruled out until the New Year with a shoulder and thigh injury, respectively.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Fernandes, Borevkovic, Ribeiro; Maga, D Silva, Handel, Mendes, Mangas; J Silva, A Silva

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres, Pote

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-2 Sporting Lisbon

Sporting need to continue churning out results after seeing their lead atop the league cut to three points. The hosts will be fairly positive coming into this match as they have an impeccable record against Vitoria de Guimaraes, and we feel they will secure their seventh straight win over Os Vimaranenses in this one.

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