Preview: Pacos de Ferreira vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups

As for the visitors, they are on course to make it three successive league victories this weekend and continue their race for a Champions League ticket alive.

Match preview

Having endured an underwhelming campaign, Pacos de Ferreira's 14-year stay in the top flight has come under threat as they find themselves in a scramble at the bottom end of the table.

With 20 points from 30 matches, Cesar Peixoto's men currently sit four points above rock-bottom Santa Clara and two points adrift of 16th-placed Maritimo in the relegation playoff spot.

However, the Pacenses did manage to secure a crucial victory away at Vizela last weekend, courtesy of strikes Nicolas Gaitan and Paulo Bernardo, after falling to defeats against Famalicao, Maritimo and Porto prior to that, picking up just two points from their five previous games since a 1-0 victory over Santa Clara on March 11.

That victory ended a three-game losing streak for Peixoto's side, however, they are now met with the challenge of taking on a Sporting Lisbon side who have the fourth-best away record in the division.

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Famalicao last time out, thanks to strikes from Hidemasa Morita and Ricardo Esgaio before Sebastian Coates' own goal made it a nervy finale.

Following Sunday's victory, the Leoes are now unbeaten in 10 league games, with their last defeat coming against rivals Porto on February 12, picking up eight wins and two draws in that time.

With 64 points from 30 matches, Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, seven points behind third-placed Braga in the final Champions League qualifying playoff spot.

Ruben Amorim will be confident his side can keep the pressure on Braga as Sporting have the fourth-best away record in the division, amassing 27 points from 15 matches.

The Leoes most recent away outing resulted in a 2-0 victory over Vitoria, and after being held goalless in the first half, in-form forward Pedro Goncalves broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half before Arthur Gomes struck in the third minute of stoppage time to put the result beyond reach.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form:

D

D

L

L

L

W

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

W

D

W

D

W

W

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

W

L

D

D

W

W

Team News

Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove will return from suspension for the hosts after his dismissal against Porto on April 22.

However, Cesar Peixoto may not want to adjust a winning formula after his side secured a crucial win last weekend, and in that case, Nicolas Gaitain, Luiz Carlos and Paulo Bernardo could start in the engine room once again.

As for the visitors, Sporting Lisbon remain without the attacking duo of Paulinho, who has missed four weeks of action through injury, and Jovane Cabral, who suffered a muscle injury in February.

In addition, Jeremiah St. Juste has missed the Leoes' last four matches after picking up a thigh injury in the Europa League clash with Juventus on April 13.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Vekic; Delgado, Maracas, Lima, Antunes; Carlos, Bernardo, Gaitan; Thomas, Guedes, Uilton

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Adan; Diomande, Coates, Reis; Esgaio, Ugarte, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Trincao, Goncalves

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 0-2 Sporting Lisbon

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