Sporting Lisbon vs Famalicao Predictions

• Famalicao are unbeaten in their last five league games against Sporting and have scored at least once in their last six meetings.
• After five straight home clean sheets in the league, both teams have scored in the last two contests at the Alvalade.
• Famalicao have scored 17 away goals this season (avg 1.7) and 16 in their last eight road trips (avg 2.0).

Familicao have formula to stress Sporting

Famalicao may be stuck in the relegation playoff place but their recent record against Sporting Lisbon will mean they will take some confidence into their clash with the champions this Sunday. Azuis e Brancos are unbeaten in their last five league games against Sporting and have scored at least once in their last six meetings.

Their 2-1 Taca da Liga defeat at the Alvalade earlier this season was under previous coach Ivo Vieira, but little seems to have changed in terms of their away goal production under Rui Pedro Silva. The former Wolves assistant has overseen two away games so far – a 2-2 draw with fourth-placed Sporting Braga and a 3-1 defeat to leaders Porto.

Those results, plus the fact that Famalicao scored 55 times in 33 games under the former chief, suggest that the visitors can score in Lisbon this weekend and extend Sporting’s sequence without a clean sheet.

Amorim’s defence have lost their way

Ruben Amorim’s side were in possession of one of the best domestic defensive records in all Europe until Christmas, since when they have shipped more goals in their last five games (seven) than they had done in the previous 15 (six).

They failed to keep a clean sheet against bottom club Belenenses on Wednesday and continue to look vulnerable when playing the ball around between defenders and the goalkeeper deep in their own half. But they remain very strong in set piece situations and have added some interesting signings in January that will add depth to their attack.

Hence, the selection here is for both teams to score at a price just above evens. We were tempted to add Sporting to win and BTTS, but the recent head-to-head results are very off-putting. Os Leões ought to be able to sneak a 2-1 home win in advance of their gigantic clash with Porto, but it might be a nervy affair.

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