Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave on and what time does it start? Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave will take place on Monday 25th September, 2023 – 20:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave 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 Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
SPORTING LISBON
In 2021, Sporting CP won the Portuguese title for the first time in over 20 years. Ruben Amorim is and remains one of the standout young, impressive coaches in European football but his stock has fallen as Sporting failed to finish in the top three and qualify for the UEFA Champions League for this season.
The home team come into this on this on the back of a 2-1 win in Austria away to Sturm Graz in the opening match of their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign. At the start of their 2023/24 Primeira Liga campaign, they have collected 13 points from their opening five matches as they challenge at the top-of-the-table.
RIO AVE
Rio Ave are among a group of sides, such as Casa Pia and Chaves, to gain promotion to the Portuguese top-flight and then comfortably survive and almost immediately establish themselves back in the middle-of-the-table. They have managed to keep hold of impressive manager Luis Freire for the 2023/24 campaign.
They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom-half of the season after a poor start. Back-to-back draws against Casa Pia and Famalicao have extended their winless run of form to four matches since they won on the opening day of the season and they will be very keen to start putting some wins on the board.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPORTING LISBON
Ruben Amorim has no fresh injury concerns with just long-term absentee Jeremiah St. Juste the only man to be missing for this weekend’s game against Rio Ave.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres, Goncalves
UNAVAILABLE: St. Juste (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RIO AVE
Luis Freire will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend’s trip to the capital with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues as they go to the Jose Alvalade.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Magrao; Pantalon, Santos, Savio; Costinha, Oudrhir, Guga, Ronaldo; Joca, Ze Manuel; Pereira
UNAVAILABLE: Jhonatan (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a match involving two of the more proactive and forward-thinking managers in Portuguese football; which is a nation and league that has gained a reputation for being quite defensive and reactive. Sporting CP did have to travel to Austria in midweek and so may well be a bit leggy but an out of form Rio Ave side coming to Lisbon shouldn’t be too much bother and Sporting should come out on top in this one.
TIP: SPORTING CP TO WIN
