Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Buoyed by the Taca da Liga win over Nacional (3-1), Sporting CP will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they face Estrela on Matchday 10. The Lions are determined to defend their Primeira Liga title, but their solidity could be hit by Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United. The Sporting CP boss is on the verge of moving to Old Trafford, but his men are still seen as hot favourites to beat Estrela at home.
Amorim rested several first-team regulars in the League Cup triumph, but the 39-year-old tactician should field the best possible side against Estrela. Both Eduardo Quaresma and Marcus Edwards remain in the recovery room. Os Tricolores, on the other hand, are on a three-game losing run on the road and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Sporting’s party in Lisbon. Defender Ferro should be the only absentee in the away team.
Highlighted Team (Sporting):
When it comes to official club members, Portugal giants Sporting Lisbon are the sixth club in the world. Commonly referred to as Leoes which is Portuguese for Lions, Sporting Lisbon were founded in 1906 and are one of the founders of the Primeira Liga.
Sporting’s main rivals are Benfica, with both teams contesting the Lisbon Derby, one of the most fierce ones in Europe. Lions play their games at Estadio Jose Alvelade in front of 50,000 people and are the third most successful club in the country with 46 titles in Portuguese competitions and a title in the European Cup Winner’s Cup from 1963-64.
During this time that is also known as the club’s golden years, Sporting Lisbon won the majority of their 18 Primeira Liga titles in total. Sporting Lisbon boasts the quality football youth academy system which has yielded world-class footballers such as Paulo Furte, Simao Sabrosa, Nani and Ballon d’Or winners Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.