Portimonense SC vs Sporting CP Prediction: Alvinegros To Turn This Clash Into An Entertaining Affair

For their 23rd round of the Primeira Liga, Portimonense will host Sporting CP at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão.

Will Portimonense SC take advantage of home advantage to secure all three points, or will Sporting CP prove to be a difficult opponent who will serve them another unfavorable result?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Portimonense SC vs Sporting CP, team news, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Portimonense SC

Form: LWLWL

In a recent away game against Famalicao, the Alvinegros' terrible struggles on the road reached yet another mood-killing conclusion. Their hopes of settling for a draw were completely dashed when Leandro Sanca's goal in the 85th minute saw them being condemned to a 1:0 defeat, which witnessed their losing streak when playing away being extended to five games.

Prior to that, they were on the verge of dropping all three points against Maritimo at home after falling behind by a goal in the opening 13 minutes. However, fresh off the bench, Maurcio's 84th minute equalizer inspired Welinton Júnior to put the game beyond doubt with a winner in the dying embers to finish the day with a 2:0 victory.

The Alvinegros have accrued more points at home than on the road, and this is not to say that their home play has been particularly impressive, but it has been average. Only at home in the past five games have they accrued seven points; on the road, they have lost five games in a row and have not earned a single point.

They have played 22 games and currently have 26 points, which puts them in 12th place, 10 points above the relegation zone.

Team News

Portimonense SC have only one injury concern ahead of this match in the form of Carlinhos, who will not be available for selection, but Paulo Sergio has a healthy free roster to choose from.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 5-3-2

Nakamura; Moufi, Relvas, Pedrao, Lucas, Seck; Mauricio, Moreira, Ventura; Junior, Rochez

Sporting CP

Form: WWLWW

Following their narrow 2:1 home defeat to FC Porto about a week ago, sides like Chaves and Estoril Praia were hoping to get a piece of the pie by taking some points away from them, believing that the Leões' confidence had been dented, but this was not the case.

As a result, the Leões began with a rebound against Chaves, winning 3:2 on the road, and went on to win 2:0 at home against Estoril Praia, and it's without a doubt that the message was received loud and clear as they dealt out a reminder of credentials.

When compared to their impressive home form, they haven't exhibited the same performance when playing away, but they can take some solace in the fact that they are gradually improving, as they are currently on a three-match unbeaten run, recording two wins and one draw, and taking into account their last five away games, they've only suffered a loss, and they will be on the verge of putting forth a convincing performance away from home.

Even though they have accumulated more points than third-place Braga in their last five games, they still occupy fourth place with 44 points, which puts them five points behind third and seven points ahead of Vitoria SC in fifth.

Team News

Sporting CP will be without Daniel Bragança due to a cruciate ligament rupture, but Ruben Amorim has a healthy free roster to choose from ahead of this match.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Adan; Inacio, Coates, Diomande; Bellerin, Goncalves, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Trincao, Paulinho

Match Facts

• In their last nine encounters, Portimonense SC has not defeated Sporting CP.
• Sporting CP currently has a winning streak of four games and a five-match unbeaten streak when playing away.
• On average, 3.6 goals are scored during matches between Portimonense SC and Sporting CP.
• Sporting CP scores 1.72 goals per game on average away from home, while Portimonense SC scores an average of 0.96 goals per game at home.

Head-To-Head

In the previous 15 meetings, Portimonense SC won twice, Sporting CP won 13 times, and there were no draws. Sporting CP outscored Portimonense SC 37-18 in goal differential.

Expert Betting Tips

While Portimonense SC might be expected to hold their own against Sporting CP, they are currently on a five-match losing streak when playing at home against them, so expecting them to cause an upset would be unrealistic.

Sporting CP may not have given one of their best performances when playing away, but that doesn't mean they can't win. In fact, with Braga's most recent game ending in a loss, this is unquestionably their best opportunity to close the point gap in their pursuit of a third-place finish.

As previously mentioned, Portimonense SC is unlikely to pull off an upset, but that doesn't stop them from scoring against a team that hasn't been particularly strong defensively in their last five away games, and given the fact that they've found the back of the net in four of their previous five meetings we predict both teams to score in this matchup along with a goal line of over 2.5.

• Both Teams To Score + Goals - Over 2.5 for 2.25
• Total (Yellow Cards) - Under 6 for 1.75
• Sporting CP & Over 2.5 Goals - for 1.89