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

The hosts are currently in second place in the league standings, level on 28 points with league leaders Benfica, while the visitors are 11th, with 11 points in as many matches.

Match preview

Sporting will return to league action after almost a month and will be looking to regain the lead after slipping to second place following a 2-1 loss to Benfica heading into the international break.

The Lions were in cup action over the last week, and after smashing in eight goals past third-tier outfit Dumiense in the Taca de Portugal, they were held to a 1-1 draw against Atalanta in the Europa League in midweek.

Even with that draw, though, Sporting are still guaranteed in place in the knockout round of that competition, albeit that they will need to compete in the playoff round first to progress.

In league competition, Ruben Amorim's side have been flawless at home this season, with six wins in six, while they have only failed to score two or more goals in one match during that period.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight matches against this opponent in all competitions and have won the last eight against them at Estadio Jose Alvalade, dating back to October 2011.

Meanwhile, Gil Vicente also booked their place in the Round of 16 in the Taca de Portugal by beating lower-league opponent FC Serpa 1-0 last weekend, with Kanya Fujimoto scoring the only goal of the match.

The Gilists played out a 1-1 draw against Rio Ave before the international break that took them to 11 points, though with the bottom half of the table still being very compact, the visitors are just one point above Casa Pia in the relegation playoff spot.

Under the guidance of Vitor Campelos, the Roosters have recorded three wins, two draws, and six losses this term, but they have yet to earn an away point, with all five matches on the road this season ending in defeat.

Notably, games involving Gil Vicente have not been short of goals as they have scored 23 already in this campaign, which is the same total as Benfica and Sporting, while they have also conceded 22, which is the third-most of any side in the top flight.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

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Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

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Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

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Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

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Team News

Goncalo Inacio was shown two yellows against Benfica but will be eligible to return in this match, having sat out his side's 8-0 demotion of Dumiense last weekend.

Ivan Fresneda has been ruled out until the end of the month with a shoulder injury, and Daniel Braganca is flagged as a doubt after picking up a thigh injury before the international break.

Andrew will continue between the sticks for the Gilists in the absence of Stanislav Kritsyuk, while Manuel Lopes and Ruben Fernandes are likely to line up in front of him in central defence.

Maxime Dominguez is the side's top scorer with five this season and should keep his place in the engine room alongside Pedro Tiba, with Roko Baturina leading the line.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Adan; Diomande, Coates, Neto; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Reis; Pote, Gyokeres, Edwards

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Carlos, Lopes, Fernandes, Boas; Tiba, Dominguez; Fujimoto, Neto, de Souza; Baturina

We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Gil Vicente

Both these sides have put up very good attacking numbers this season, but Sporting have been much better in defence than Gil Vicente, which is where the major difference lies. We are expecting both teams to find the net in this one but are backing the hosts to outscore the visitors.

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