Casa Pia vs Sporting CP Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Casa Pia vs Sporting CP on and what time does it start? Casa Pia vs Sporting CP will take place on Friday 18th August, 2023 – 20:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Casa Pia vs Sporting CP? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Casa Pia vs Sporting CP on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Casa Pia vs Sporting CP in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
CASA PIA
Casa Pia were promoted to the top-flight of Portuguese football for the first time ever in 2022 and not only did they comfortably survive last season, they actually challenged towards the top end and were aiming for potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification for much of the campaign. They eventually did fade, as expected, towards the end of the campaign, but still did manage a mid-table finish.
The hosts began their 2023/24 Primeira Liga campaign with a very impressive 3-0 hammering of newly-promoted Farense last weekend. Farense, seeking to emulate Casa Pia’s relative success from last season, were picked off by a side that managed just 44% possession and completed 74 fewer passes than them. That 3-0 win follows on from back-to-back 2-0 victories against Torreense and Vilaverdense in the early rounds of the Taca da Liga.
SPORTING CP
Under the management of one of Europe’s still most exciting coaches, despite regressing last season, Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP are expected to challenge for the title, once again, after an impressive summer transfer window of retaining some key players so far and also adding some big money names, such as Viktor Gyokeres for over £20 million from Coventry City, beating off Premier League clubs for the Sweden international’s signature.
The visitors began the season, though, with a bizarre and generally unimpressive 3-2 win at home to a Vizela side that are expected to struggle this season. Viktor Gyokeres scored a brace on Liga debut and had Sporting two goals up in 15 minutes but Vizela fought back with two quick-fire goals in the second-half before Paulinho scored a 99th minute winner for the home team. Despite his reputation, Amorim could come under pressure early on this season if performances and results continue on from last year where they finished fourth, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification.
THE TEAM NEWS
CASA PIA
Filipe Martins has gone for a 3-4-2-1 system as Casa Pia begin the season in excellent form in the league and cup. Given their start to the Primeira Liga season and the fact their only unavailable players are two injuries, Kiki Silva and Rafael Brito, that were pre-existing, Casa Pia are expected to be unchanged.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Batista; Varela, Fernandes, Zolotic; Larrazabal, Neto, Mukendi, Lelo; Soma, Godwin; Clayton
UNAVAILABLE: Silva (Injured), Brito (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SPORTING CP
The tactically innovative Ruben Amorim is very flexible with his systems but playing a relatively sophisticated style of football will mean he will be keen on being consistent with a starting eleven in order for them to gel at the start of this season. He will likely stick with the same 3-4-3 system and team as last week, which surprisingly saw Marcus Edwards left on the bench in favour of Francisco Trincao.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Catamo, Braganca, Morita, Reis; Trincao, Gyokeres, Goncalves
UNAVAILABLE: Santos (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: St. Juste (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Despite Casa Pia’s impressive and dominant performances whereby they have scored seven goals without conceding in their opening three matches, Filipe Martins’ side have often been more reliant on defensive and reactive football so playing a counter attacking style in this match is most likely. Sporting will expect to be a lot tighter and more controlling in this match, aiming to learn from the mistakes that allowed Vizela back into the game last week. It may well be a low-scoring encounter but the visitors should still be able to edge past resolute opposition.
TIP: SPORTING CP TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
