Santa Clara vs Sporting Lisbon Predictions

• Sporting Lisbon have failed to win three of their four Primeira Liga away games in 2022-23.
• Santa Clara have lost only one of their last 15 home league games and only 1/12 at home under coach Mario Silva.
• All four of Santa Clara’s home games this season were close with two draws and a one-goal win and defeat.

Azores could be a trip to far for Sporting

Sporting might struggle to shake off the hangover of their Champions League defeat to Marseille when they make the trip to the Azores to face Santa Clara on Saturday. Never an easy place to get a result, Santa Clara coach Mario Silva has ensured Estádio de São Miguel has remained a stronghold throughout his tenure as coach with only one home defeat in 12.

They will be without suspended centre-back Kennedy Boateng against the Lions this weekend after he received a straight red card in last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Rio Ave. That made it three defeats in the last five and dropped the Azoreans down to third bottom in the table, putting some pressure on the upcoming clash.

But the timing is good for the hosts to spring a surprise – as they did last January in beating the then reigning champions 3-2 in the corresponding fixture. Sporting will fly back to Lisbon after a chastening 4-1 loss in Marseille and face a quick turnaround before jetting east across the Atlantic.

Lions lack solidity away from home

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong at the Stade Velodrome, from their team bus getting stuck in traffic beforehand to Antonio Adan’s off-key performance in goal and eventual sending off. Ruben Amorim has denied any interest in the Wolves vacancy, which is some good news to come from the last few days.

Although they have been defensively secure at home, Sporting have conceded multiple goals in four of their six road games in all competitions this season. It may be a bit much to suggest Santa Clara get more than one this weekend, but there are a few reasons to indicate they may not lose the game to the 8/15 favourites.

Backing the hosts in the double chance market has merit here – as does a 1-1 correct score play given Sporting have scored only three goals in their last three league away games and Silva’s side have conceded four in four at home this term.

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