- Sporting have won seven and drawn three of their last ten matches in all competitions, including the last two.
- Academico Viseu have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last ten, including a 1-0 defeat at CD Fatima in the Taca de Portugal.
- Sporting have won three and drawn two of their last five, and won their last two in a row.
Sides’ styles clash in Lisbon
Sporting Clube de Portugal will welcome Académico Viseu to Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Sunday with the Leões in good form and the visitors in mixed form.
Sporting, who have a 2-game winning streak in all competitions including a 3-1 away win at SC Braga, have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 games and won their last 2 in a row.
Viseu, on the other hand, come into this game off the back of a 1-0 away defeat at CD Fatima and have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 in all competitions.
Sporting have the best of the odds
The odds tell it as it is in this game with Sporting at 11/50, the draw at 26/5 and over 2.5 goals at 21/50. The hosts look the clear favourites to win the game and they should do so, although Viseu could make them work hard for it and this isn't a match that should be a total procession, even if Sporting are dominant.
Rui Borges has his side playing a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation where they have lots of possession, are well organised and press the ball aggressively. They are capable of some lightning attacks down the middle.
Bruno Pinheiro's side have a much more compact style in a 4-2-3-1 system, relying on their shape, patience and speed on the counter. This clash of styles screams high press vs compact counter and it will be interesting to see how Viseu fare under the cosh for long periods of time.
Visitors have a good counter-attack threat
The home side have won 4 and drawn 1 of their 5 home matches in all competitions. They average 2.60 goals per game at home and have let in only 1.20 on average.
Viseu have won 2, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their 6 away games in all competitions, but it is still clear that they have conceded 7 times in 6 away fixtures.
Sporting's Luis Suarez has been in lethal form this season, bagging five of his side's ten goals in the last 5 games. He looks a real threat inside the box and should make the most of his chances in front of goal.
Cihan Kahraman has been in fine form as the chief creator for Viseu with 3 assists as his team have scored 7 goals in the past five.
Sporting should win this because they have the steel and the firepower to do so. They are not the sort of side to do things the easy way, but they did it right against FC Arouca when a 2-2 draw was followed by a 3-1 win at SC Braga. They also beat RC Lens 2-0 in the Champions League away from home, which shows the ability to finish off opponents when they get the space they need.
