Sporting Lisbon will look for a berth in the quarterfinals when they host Tondela in the Taca de Portugal. After Sporting’s 2-1 triumph over the visitors in the Taca da Liga last month, which advanced them to the competition’s semifinals, this will be the sides’ second meeting of the season.
Preview (Sporting Lisbon vs Tondela)
After defeating C.D. Olivais e Moscavide 3-1 in the third round and Dumiense CJPII 8-0 in the final round. Sporting Lisbon made it to this level of the competition. With 17 victories, the last of which came in 2019, the Lions are the only teams in Taca de Portugal history to trail behind Benfica (26), and Porto (19). Entering this game, Ruben Amorim’s team is riding high on a 5-1 victory over Estoril. It has kept them atop the league standings with 16 games played. Sporting is in the running for every trophy after a fantastic start to the season. It has seen them advance to the Europa League knockout stages.
The home team has dominated this matchup historically. They have won their last six meetings between the two teams dating back to June 2020. During that span, they have only allowed two goals while scoring fourteen goals. The Lions will enter this game with confidence due to their stellar home record. They have won all nine of their games at Estadio Jose Alvalade in all competitions.
Although Toze Marreco’s team has enjoyed success in cup competitions this year, they have found it difficult to carry over their cup form into the league, where they currently sit in seventh position, nine points behind the top three. Talk of Sporting switching up their lineup for this game may have Tondela feeling pessimistic. An early goal from the visitors might liven things up in what will be their first-ever encounter.
Team News
Ivan Fresneda is scheduled to miss until the end of January owing to a shoulder injury, and Jerry St Juste is questionable because of a delayed fitness test, meaning the hosts will be without several key players. Hidemasa Morita is also unavailable due to his inclusion in the Japanese squad for the Asian Cup in Qatar. In addition, Amorim will be without Geny Catamo and Ousmane Diomande, who are both traveling with their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations. Alongside Pedro Goncalves, Francisco Trincao and Paulinho are predicted to start in attack, while Matheus Reis, Eduardo Quaresma, and Goncalo Inacio are anticipated to comprise the back three.
Due to a knee injury, Iuri Miguel is expected to miss a substantial portion of the season; therefore, Ricardo Silva will probably continue to start in goal for the visiting team. Alongside Rui Gomes, Roberto Rodrigo—who last weekend against Nacional scored a late equalizer—should lead the line once more. Sporting is favored by momentum and heritage, but Tondela is ready for a final stand. We believe the cup adventure of the underdogs comes to an end at Estadio Jose Alvalade. In this one, the hosts will have too much for the guests to manage.
Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Tondela
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