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Sporting Lisbon is all set to welcome Moreirense, the newly-promoted team, to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Primeira Liga on Sunday night.
Sporting has arguably made the most impressive start in the division and is currently level on points with Boavista and Porto at the top of the table as they return after the international break. They've secured three consecutive victories against Vizela, Casa Pia, and Famalicao, setting them up nicely for their challenging encounter with Braga. Even though Braga managed to secure a late draw against them, Sporting is still firmly in the title race.
Sporting has a favorable run of fixtures coming up, along with their Europa League commitments, providing them with an excellent opportunity to maintain their position near the top. Their next significant challenge will be a trip to face their Lisbon rivals, Benfica, in mid-November, after already completing four of their European group matches.
Seven out of Sporting's next 11 games will be played at the Alvalade, including matches against Moreirense, Rio Ave, Arouca, and Estrela – all games they are expected to win comfortably. If they can maintain their lead over Benfica, who is just one point behind them, going into the Lisbon Derby, it would significantly boost their confidence.
However, Moreirense, led by Rui Borges, is not planning to let Sporting's strong start go unchallenged. Despite being the second-tier champions, they haven't had a great start in the Primeira Liga. Their performance in the Taca da Liga and the absence of any goals during pre-season weren't ideal preparations. They began with a tough match against Porto, where they took the lead but eventually lost. The following week, they couldn't beat 10-man Famalicao. However, they did manage to secure a win over struggling Chaves for their first victory of the campaign. In an international break rescheduled match against Braga, they appeared poised for a consecutive win, but inexplicably lost their 2-1 lead in the final eight minutes.
With just one point separating Moreirense in 10th place from Estoril in 16th, a potential loss here could see them sliding down the table quickly, as teams below them are sure to pick up points this weekend.
Sporting will be missing Dutch defender Jerry St Juste due to a muscular problem, which is their only injury concern. The addition of Viktor Gyokeres, providing competition for Paulinho in attack, seems to have revitalized the latter. Paulinho, who hadn't quite found his stride at Sporting, has had an exceptional start, topping the scoring charts with four league goals in just 242 minutes of play so far. Gyokeres had a mixed week with Sweden, scoring against Estonia but facing defeat against Austria. Nevertheless, he is expected to start in the center.
In other news, Goncalo Inacio scored twice for Portugal in their 9-0 demolition of Luxembourg, and Hidemasa Morita was part of the Japan side that thrashed Germany 4-1. The only issue facing Borges and his Moreirense squad ahead of their trip to the capital is a head injury for Dinis Pinto.
Lawrence Ofori needs to be cautious, as four bookings in four games this season mean he's just one yellow card away from suspension. Kobamelo Kodisang, who missed the defeat to Braga, is available again and faces a challenge to reclaim his spot, given that Madson scored in his absence in the 3-2 defeat last Saturday.
In summary, Sporting Lisbon hosts Moreirense in the upcoming Primeira Liga clash, with Sporting aiming to maintain their strong start to the season and Moreirense seeking to rebound from a mixed beginning in the top-flight. Sporting holds a historical advantage in this fixture and will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak at the Jose Alvalade.
