Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

The Vila Nova have racked up three wins in their last three Primeira Liga outings and currently sit six points off the Conference League qualifying places with five games to go.

Match preview

Sporting Lisbon kept their race for a Champions League ticket alive as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Monday.

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.

Prior to that, Ruben Amorim's men suffered a quarter-final exit from the Europa League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus on April 20 after losing 1-0 in Turin seven days earlier.

Following Monday's victory, the Leoes are now unbeaten in nine consecutive league matches, picking up seven wins and two draws since February's 2-1 loss against rivals Porto.

With 61 points from 29 matches, Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, seven points behind third-placed Braga in the Champions League qualifying playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Famalicao's fairytale run in the Taca de Portugal took a blow on Wednesday when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Porto in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.

After falling behind to Ivan Marcano's 16th-minute opener, Alexandre Penetra restored parity to end the first half level, but Toni Martinez struck in the 63rd minute to hand Porto a first-leg victory.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men now turn their sights to the Primeira Liga, where a late-season resurgence has seen them pick up three wins in their last three matches to keep their dreams of securing European football alive.

Famalicao were in action in the league last Saturday when they grabbed a thrilling 3-2 win over Maritimo after overturning a two-goal deficit in the second courtesy of goals from Jhonder Cadiz, Ivo Rodrigues and late substitute Pablo Felipe.

The Vila Nova have picked up 13 wins and three draws from their 29 matches to collect 42 points and sit sixth in the league table, six points off fifth-placed Arouca in the Conference League qualification places.

Famalicao will now look to see off the threat of a Sporting Lisbon side who have won the most recent three meetings between the sides and are unbeaten in their last six encounters since a 3-1 loss in March 2020.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

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Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

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Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

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Famalicao form (all competitions):

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Team News

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

Former Feyenoord and Mainz full-back Jeremiah St. Juste has missed the Leoes' last three matches after picking up a thigh injury in the Europa League clash with Juventus on April 13.

Portuguese midfielder Daniel Braganca will also play no part in Sunday's game as he continues his rehabilitation after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture last May.

With his opener against Vitoria de Guimaraes, Goncalves now boasts the most Primeira Liga goal involvement this season (24) and the 24-year-old will be one to keep an eye on.

Alexandre Penetra and Ivo Rodrigues are both on Famalicao's suspended list after they crossed the yellow card threshold with their respective bookings in last week's win over Maritimo.

Panama international Jose Luis Rodriguez is yet to feature for the Vila Nova this year after sustaining a severe hamstring injury back in November.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

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

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Aguirregabiria, Mihaj, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Assuncao, Colombatto; Dobre, Cadiz, Jaime

We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Famalicao

While Famalicao's cup dreams suffered a huge blow, they have picked up a late-season form in the league as they make a late push for European football. However, given the gulf in quality and experience between the sides, we fancy Sporting Lisbon coming away with all three points.

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