Sporting’s win at Casa Pia was a big statement, especially with whispers about how they’d manage without star striker Viktor Gyokeres, who racked up an incredible 54 goals in 52 games last season. His absence left some fans worried, especially after a goalless performance in a 1-0 Super Cup loss to rivals Benfica. That defeat stung, considering the fierce competition between Lisbon’s two heavyweights, who split all three major trophies last season. Sporting claimed the Primeira Liga title by a narrow two-point margin over Benfica and then sealed the Taca de Portugal with a final victory over their rivals.
Now, with the rivalry still buzzing, Sporting can’t afford to slip up against Arouca, a team that managed to hold them to a 2-2 draw at Alvalade in last season’s league campaign—one of only three sides to take points off them at home. Arouca will be riding high after their convincing win over AVS, where Alfonso Trezza stole the show with two goals, sandwiching Nais Djouahra’s strike in the 54th minute. A late goal from Nene wasn’t enough to spoil Arouca’s party, and that result has them sitting pretty in fourth place early on.
While it’s too soon to talk about Arouca challenging for European spots, this strong start could spark the confidence they need to aim for a top-half finish after last season’s 12th-place result. However, their away form is a concern—eight losses in 17 road games last term means they’ll need to tighten up for this trip to Lisbon.
Sporting, meanwhile, has some injury headaches. Ousmane Diomande’s absence after limping off in the opener leaves Goncalo Inacio likely to pair up with Zeno Debast in central defense. Maximiliano Araujo’s fitness is up in the air, and with Matheus Reis suspended, Ricardo Mangas might step in at left-back for his first start. Daniel Braganca and Nuno Santos are also ruled out with injuries.
For Arouca, new signing Omar Fayed probably won’t be ready for this one, with Jose Fontan and Boris Popovic holding down the center-back spots. Trezza’s brace has him buzzing with confidence, and Lee-Hyun Ju should keep his place in midfield after a solid showing against AVS.
With both teams coming off wins and Sporting eager to assert their dominance at home, this matchup promises plenty of intrigue as the Primeira Liga season heats up.
