Portugal's 2024-25 Primeira Liga season is set to begin on Friday when champions Sporting Lisbon host Rio Ave at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The home side won the title with 90 points from 34 games last term, while the visitors finished 11th with 37 points, only five clear of third last Portimonense, who were relegated from the division in 16th place.
Match preview
Sporting's title win was their second in the last four seasons, a remarkable feat considering that prior to their league triumph in 2020-21, they last won the Primeira Liga in 2001-02.
The Green and Whites' points tally of 90 last term was 16 more than they achieved in 2022-23 and was in fact their highest ever total.
The hosts scored 96 goals and conceded 29 times, and this made them the league's best offensive and third-best defensive team.
Much of their success can be attributed to manager Ruben Amorim, whose fluid and flexible system brought the club their first league title in 19 years and allowed the team to finally compete domestically with giants Porto and Benfica.
However, it will be interesting to see if Sporting's level drops in 2024-25 considering the speculation that surrounded Amorim earlier this year regarding a potential departure, which was fuelled by his trip to London in April to negotiate with West Ham United.
The boss publicly apologised for the meeting, as it took place while the league season was ongoing, but his side did earn a 2-2 draw against Porto on April 29 in the game immediately following the controversy.
Last time out on August 3, Sporting lost the Super Cup Final 4-3 against Porto, although it should be noted that Amorim did not field a full-strength XI.
Opponents Rio Ave's points total of 37 in 2023-24 was three less than they achieved in 2022-23, but to their credit they did successfully avoid relegation for the second season running since returning to the top flight in 2022-23.
The visitors scored 38 goals and conceded 43 times, and these were the league's joint 12th best offensive and seventh-best defensive records respectively.
Manager Luis Freire, who has been in charge since July 2021, has won 46 games, drawn 37 and lost 35 in his time at Rio Ave.
Freire's side drew 13 of their last 17 league games, and drew 19 of their 34 Primeira Liga matches, with no other side drawing more than 12.
Rio Ave drew home and away against Sporting in the 2023-24 top-flight campaign, though they have failed to win any of their last 21 league fixtures on the road.
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Team News
The hosts will hope that promising centre-back Ousmane Diomande is ready to start the season, and if he were to come into the XI on Friday, Eduardo Quaresma could drop out.
Morten Hjulmand is certain to start in midfield for Sporting, although Amorim could have a tough choice to make between starting Hidemasa Morita or Daniel Braganca alongside him.
As for the visitors, they could name a similar XI to the one that started against Swansea in their pre-season clash on August 3.
Goalkeeper Jhonatan could be shielded by centre-backs Miguel Nobrega, Aderllan Santos and Renato Pantalon.
Loanee Clayton Silva could also be set for a first competitive start in the forward line alongside Amine Rehmi.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Kovacevic; Diomande, Inacio, Debast; Quenda, Hjulmand, Morita, Catamo; Goncalves, Gyokeres, Trincao
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; Nobrega, Santos, Pantalon; Bondoso, Novais, Oudrhiri, Vrousa; Rehmi, Silva, Ronaldo
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Rio Ave
Although Sporting lost last time out against Porto, they still scored three goals and demonstrated their attacking prowess.
Additionally, while Rio Ave have proven to be stubborn opponents in the past, they did struggle away from home last season, and that should make the hosts favourites on Friday.
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