Estoril Praia's undefeated streak under Ian Cathro faces the test of the unblemished Sporting Lisbon in gameweek seven at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Friday, keen to extend their unbeaten Primeira Liga sequence to five.
The home side avoided losing by coming from two down at Rio Ave, although Ruben Amorim's side are not expected to drop points from such an advantageous position if a repeat occurs this weekend.
Match preview
Although Estoril have notched one victory at the start of the 2024-25 season, performances since Cathro sorted out work permit issues and settled in Lisbon have improved.
The Canaries secured a 1-0 success over Nacional in gameweek five following two losses to Santa Clara (4-1) and Vitoria Guimaraes (1-0) and consecutive goalless games against Gil Vicente and Boavista in the opening four rounds.
While a three-match run without conceding ended at Rio Ave last week, the game's flow underscored Estoril's upswing under their new boss, as they snatched a draw despite trailing 2-0 on the hour mark.
That point showcased the growing confidence of Cathro's men, even if their bubble could burst against the league's defending champions in Friday's Lisbon derby.
The fixture has been dominated by the 20-time Portuguese champions, who have notched six consecutive victories in this head-to-head, and the hosts hope to avoid a seventh straight loss.
A positive outcome for Estoril is an uphill task against the only Portuguese top-flight team yet to drop points after six games, with Amorim's side notching six wins from six to start their title defence commendably.
The top showing in that run came in the 2-0 success over Porto before the first international break of 24-25 in September, and the favourites aim to claim a seventh triumph.
Perhaps more pleasing for Leoes are their run of consecutive clean sheets in the league — extending to their Champions League opener against Lille — which reads four in the Primeira Liga and five in all competitions.
Nacional's Nigel Thomas was the last opponent to score against the defending Portuguese champions, a goal that brought Sporting to life as they notched five without reply in that gameweek two 6-1 victory over the promoted side.
The Lions' dominance in this fixture is highlighted by their six-match winning sequence and five clean sheets, with Estoril's only goal in that period coming in last term's reverse fixture, which ended 5-1; Amorim's troops aim for another positive outcome this Friday.
Team News
Xeka, withdrawn in the 26th minute against Rio Ave, and Joao Carvalho, substituted at half time, are not anticipated to play this weekend.
After last week's influence off the bench, Alejandro Marques could make his fifth league start against the table-topping visitors.
Despite their perfect start, Amorim's side have several injury absentees, with Jeremiah St. Juste, Eduardo Quaresma, Goncalo Inacio and Vladan Kovacevic expected to miss out while Marcus Edwards and productive Pedro Goncalves are touch-and-go.
Viktor Gyokeres has already netted 10 goals in the league, and the forward aims to continue his nine-game goalscoring run for club and country this weekend.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Pina, Alvaro, Boma, Amaral; Costa, Holsgrove, Zanocelo; Begraoui, Marques, Garcia
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; Debast, Diomande, Reis; Quenda, Braganca, Hjulmand, Catamo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Harder
We say: Estoril Praia 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
Despite Estoril's seeming upswing under Cathro, it is hard to look beyond a routine victory for Sporting, with Gyokeres scoring for the 10th match running for club and country, having netted in every league match so far this term.
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