The 2025 Liga Portugal calendar concludes tonight, Sunday, December 28, with a high-stakes clash at the Estádio José Alvalade. Second-placed Sporting CP host Rio Ave, looking to close the 5-point gap on league leaders Porto before the New Year.
Under Rui Borges, Sporting has remained a relentless force at home, while Rio Ave arrives in Lisbon hoping to break a decade-long curse against the "Lions."
Match Details
Competition: Liga Portugal (Matchday 16)
Kick-off: 20:30 UTC / 21:30 Local (15:30 ET)
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
Referee: Carlos Macedo
Current Form: Home Dominance vs. The Draw Specialists
Sporting CP: Chasing Porto
Sporting enters this match in excellent domestic form, most recently dismantling Vitoria Guimarães 4–1. They have turned the Alvalade into a fortress, winning seven consecutive home games and outscoring opponents 21–1 in their last six fixtures in Lisbon. Despite the departure of Ruben Amorim earlier this year, the squad has maintained its attacking identity, led by the clinical duo of Luis Javier Suárez and Fotis Ioannidis.
Rio Ave: Stuck in Neutral
Sotiris Sylaidopoulos’s Rio Ave side currently sits in 10th place. While they have been difficult to beat—recording a league-high 8 draws in 15 rounds—they have struggled to convert those performances into three points. They arrive off the back of a 2–2 draw with Gil Vicente, but their lack of depth is being tested by recent suspensions.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Sporting CP Team News
The Lions are dealing with significant absences due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Out (AFCON): Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo.
Injuries: Pedro Gonçalves (Pote), Geovany Quenda (Broken foot), Zeno Debast, Daniel Bragança.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Rui Silva; Quaresma, Inácio, Matheus Reis; Vagiannidis, Hjulmand, Morita, Ricardo Mangas; Trincão, Ioannidis, Luis Suárez.
Rio Ave Team News
Rio Ave’s attacking options are severely limited for this trip to the capital.
Out (Suspended): Clayton (Top scorer), Nikitser.
Returns: Marios Vrousai is expected to return to the starting lineup to shore up the right flank.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Miszta; Petrasso, Abbey, Panzo; Vrousai, Ntoi, Aguilera, Athanasiou; Andre Luiz, Karem Zoabi, Pohlmann.
Head-to-Head: A One-Sided Rivalry
Rio Ave has found it nearly impossible to take points off Sporting in recent years.
Last 12 Meetings: Sporting is unbeaten (9 wins, 3 draws).
Recent History: Sporting won 3–0 in January 2025 and 3–1 in August 2024.
Historical Context: Rio Ave has not won at the Alvalade since 2019.
Tactical Analysis: Wingplay vs. Low Block
Sporting’s Wide Assault
Even without Geny Catamo, Sporting’s tactical blueprint relies on overlapping wing-backs and the creative freedom of Francisco Trincão. They lead the league in "big chances created," and expect them to pin Rio Ave back early to force a breakthrough before the halftime whistle.
Rio Ave’s Pragmatism
Without their primary target man Clayton, Rio Ave will likely deploy an ultra-conservative 5-4-1 defensive shape. Their strategy will be to frustrate Sporting's midfield and look for long balls toward Andre Luiz, hoping to exploit Sporting’s occasional vulnerability to counter-attacks.
Match Prediction
Sporting’s firepower at home is simply too much for a Rio Ave side missing its best striker. While the visitors might hold out for the first half-hour, the individual quality of Luis Suárez and Trincão should see the Lions cruise to a comfortable victory.
Final Score Prediction: Sporting CP 3–0 Rio Ave
