Unusual picture in the Portuguese Primeira League: With FC Famalicao, a big underdog leads the Portuguese league. Top teams like Benfica Lisbon, Porto or Sporting Lisbon are currently still there as a pursuer. For the latter, there was a 1: 2 defeat in the direct duel against the current leaders.
This was the next setback for the Green-Whites from Lisbon this season. Sporting already has ten points less than city rivals Benfica with an eight-point win. The title seems to be no realistic goal after the catastrophic start to the season, especially as title candidates like Benfica and Porto have hardly left any points in recent years.
To ensure that the important starting points for international competition, in particular the Champions League, remain within reach, the “lions” from Lisbon have to deliver. For the seventh game day, the duel between Aves vs.. Sporting Lisbon, where, according to odds of the bookmakers, the guests are in the role of favorites.
There is no room for error in the bottom of Aves. Jorge Silas last celebrated his debut as Sporting coach. The new trainer of the Green-Whites takes over after the short-term interim solution by Leonel Pontes. If the effect of the change of coach shows up on Monday evening, there is a lot to be said for Aves against Sporting Lisbon.
Aves:
Two seasons ago, Desportivo Aves celebrated the biggest success in the history of the club with the UEFA Cup victory over Sporting Lisbon. Since Aves did not participate in the licensing process for the international competition during the season, there was no right to start the Europa League for the cup winners 2017/18.
Instead, the table fifth Rio Ave got the ticket for the Europa League. At the big and at the same time surprising cup title Aves could not continue anyway. In the past season, the team put a catastrophic record of 10-6-18 and was only four points from a relegation rank.
The miserable run from last season seems to continue. With currently three points in the account, Aves carries the red lantern with him. In addition, the table bottom with 18 goals conceded the worst defensive of the Primeira Liga. Even against opponents such as Guimaraes or Rio Ave had to take Aves harsh 1: 5 failures.
It thus remains to be seen how the team will play against Sporting Lisbon in the duel. The club is currently still building on Augusto Inacio, who has been in office since the beginning of the year. To see how the 64-year-old can turn things around in the coming games, will be seen.
The change in summer had not really borne fruit so far. Enzo Zidane, eldest son of Zinedine Zidane, is probably the most famous face among the Portuguese. As a playmaker from Aves, the French youngster is gaining experience, but has not shown any outstanding performances so far.
After the meager performances in recent games, it remains to be seen how Aves will face Sporting at home. If the team is on the weak defensive and can put offensive accents, the bottom of the table may well take away countable against the stumbling top club. If the home side even win, Aves will reward Sporting Lisbon with a tip on the home team in a lucrative way.
Sporting Lisbon:
Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon is still running low. While city rivals Benfica Lisbon and FC Porto take their place in the title race, Sporting Lisbon are likely to have to retire early with ten points behind them. After the last few seasons, when the title contenders have barely left points, it will be hard to catch up.
The “Lions” from Lisbon lost to current leader FC Famalicao last season. The negative trend from the competitive games previously continued in the cup competition, where Sporting conceded a 2-1 loss to Rio Ave during the week. If you look at the Green-White squad in the Cup, you can not really speak of great rotation.
Interim solution Leonel Pontes had to leave his place after a short time. Jorge Silas, former coach of the city rivals from Belenenses, will take over Sporting Lisbon and celebrate his coaching debut against Aves. For the 43-year-old Portuguese, it is only the second station as a club coach. How Silas will master the big challenge at Sporting is shown in the upcoming games.
Sporting Lisbon has been without competition for five competitive matches. Four of the last five matches were also lost. In the Europa League, the Green-Whites had also spoiled the group opener against PSV Eindhoven. It would be even more important for Sporting Lisbon to regain confidence before the important second group match on Thursday night.
Silas will be able to get the most out of Aves in the away game. Which start-up decisions the new Sporting coach will make remains uncertain for the time being.
