Sporting Lisbon will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga table when they welcome Casa Pia to the iconic Estadio Jose Alvalade in a Lisbon derby on Monday night.
After five straight victories, the hosts sit just a point clear of rivals Benfica at the summit of Portugal's top flight, while their visitors are six points clear of the relegation zone and without a win in their last two outings.
Match preview
Sporting Lisbon's quest for the Taca da Liga title came to an end on Tuesday night with a 1-0 defeat to Braga at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa.
The Lions, who have graced five of the last six Taca da Liga finals and lifted the trophy four times, could not find an answer to Abel Ruiz's 65th-minute strike.
However, Ruben Amorim's side continue to excel in the Primeira Liga, securing their fifth straight league win with a convincing 5-2 victory over Vizela in their last outing.
Determined to reclaim the Primeira Liga title after their last triumph in 2020-21, Sporting Lisbon have enjoyed a remarkable season so far, amassing 46 points from their opening 18 games, while only failing to win in three fixtures.
Sporting's bid for another title has been largely fuelled by their potent attack - the most prolific in the league with 45 goals.
On the cusp of a sixth consecutive league win, the Lions will be brimming with confidence heading into Monday's clash against an opponent they have dominated in all four previous encounters.
Casa Pia, on the other hand, continue to struggle for results on home soil having recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Farense at the Estadio Pina Manique.
Goals from Marco Matias, Zach Muscat and Bruno Duarte put the visitors in control, before Fernando grabbed a consolation goal for the Geeses.
This setback marked Casa Pia's fifth defeat in their last six home games, leaving them with the worst home record in the division.
Pedro Moreira's men have managed to scrape together just five points from nine matches at their own ground, resulting in a drop to 12th place, while currently sit just three points above Rio Ave, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
While Casa Pia have found some solace on the road with two consecutive away wins, Monday's encounter presents a daunting challenge against a side boasting a perfect home record.
Team News
The hosts will be without Hidemasa Morita, who is currently with the Japan national team at the Asian Cup, while Ousmane Diomande is away at the AFCON with Ivory Coast.
On the injury front, the Lions remain without Jerry St. Juste and teenage defender Ivan Fresneda, who are currently recuperating from muscle and shoulder injuries respectively.
With his brace against Vizela, Viktor Gyokeres now has 16 goals and nine assists in 22 matches across all competitions this season and the Swedish striker will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Casa Pia will have to cope without the services of midfielder Beni Mukendi, who is currently away with the Angola national team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
On the injury front, they will be without 25-year-old forward Kiki Silva, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles tendon injury last March.
First-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Batista is set to serve the second of a three-game suspension after picking up a straight red card against Famalicao, with Lucas Paes expected to remain in goal.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Quaresma, Coates, Inacio, Esgaio; Hjulmand, Goncalves, Santos; Trincao, Paulinho, Gyokeres
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Paes; Larrazabal, Nunes, Zolotic, Lelo; Dias, Neto, Brito, Roberto; Clayton, Cardoso
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Casa Pia
The absence of several key players on international duty has not fazed Sporting Lisbon one bit, and they look set to overpower a struggling Casa Pia side on Monday.
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