Primeira Liga new boys SC Farense seek to stun league-leading Sporting Lisbon when both sides meet in a round seven encounter at Estadio de Sao Luis on Saturday.
The league returnees have performed acceptably since regaining promotion after a two-year absence, and the Lisbon giants are unbeaten this season.
Match preview
Six games into Farense's topflight return have shown it could be a rollercoaster 2023-24 for the club from Faro.
Jose Mota's men have won two of their six fixtures, more than seven of the 17 other sides in the league heading into this weekend's round of games.
Both victories have come at Estadio de Sao Luis, thus giving the home side the belief of pulling off a shock victory over the table toppers on Saturday.
Mota's side stunned fourth-placed Sporting Braga 3-1 on September 16 to secure back-to-back home wins for the promoted team.
While Farense are winless on their travels, claiming six points from an available nine on their turf, a victory over Braga (unbeaten away from home until the defeat in Faro) suggests they have a chance.
The Lions of Faro must produce an outstanding showing to stun unbeaten Sporting Lisbon, whose start to the season has been matched by only Porto.
Ruben Amorim's side have claimed five wins from six, playing out a draw at Braga at the start of the month to continue an unbeaten start to 23-24.
Not only are they showing their wont to score — averaging two goals a game — but the defensive astuteness is doubly commendable, with only four goals conceded for the away side that have kept three shut-outs.
Notably, four of their six games have been at Estadio Jose Alvalade, and it remains to be seen if home performances can be repeatedly replicated on the road.
The Lions are guaranteed to keep top spot with maximum points on Saturday, but Amorim's men may not have it all their way.
Team News
Jhon Velasquez has not played for Farense this season, and the Colombian is still sidelined for Saturday's clash.
That seems to be Mota's only injury worry, with the manager expected to utilise a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Jeremiah St. Juste has not played since April because of a muscle injury, and the centre-back is not expected back for this weekend's encounter.
Amorim has to choose one of Paulinho or Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line, with the strikers scoring five and three goals respectively.
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pastor, Silva, Jorge, Talocha; Falcao, Isidoro; Belloumi, Matheus, Costa; Duarte
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres, Goncalves
We say: SC Farense 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting should nick a slender victory at Farense to extend their unbeaten run to seven, thus retaining top spot.
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