Sporting – Vilaverdense Prediction & Preview and Betting Tips (13.12.2017)

Sporting Lisboa and Vilaverdense meet at Estádio José Alvalade, in a match for this phase of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals). This will be the first direct confrontation between these two teams, as they have never faced each other before. the Vilaverdense presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so that in this game the home factor may be decisive.

Sporting Lisboa:

The home team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Famalicão and Oleiros. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 9 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses in away matches, with 34 goals scored and 21 conceded; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 20 goals scored and 10 conceded. In the last match they played, for the Primeira Liga, they beat Boavista away by (1-3). In the last 10 home matches Sporting Lisboa has won 5, tied 4 and lost 1. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. The team usually has no problems opening the scoring: scored the first goal in 10 of the last 11 games, of these 10 came to the break in advantage in 6 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 7. In the last 14 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period in highlight: he suffered 6 of his 7 goals between the minutes (76’-90 ‘).

Sporting Lisbon come to this game with a victory in the Boavista field, 1-3, returning to the triumphs after the defeat against Barcelona: the goals were scored by Fábio Coentrão and Bas Dost (2). In the last match for the Portuguese Cup, Sporting beat Famalicão 2-0. In this home game coach Jorge Jesus must keep the team in 4-4-2, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially by the laterals: Gelson Martins and Podence are very fast and competent in transporting the ball towards the attack. Bas Dost is the best marker of the premises, with 12 goals scored. For this game the coach should not count on the injured Jonathan Silva.

Vilaverdense:

The visiting team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Vizela, Boavista, SC Esmoriz and Bragança. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 22 goals scored and 21 conceded; against 15 victories in their stadium, with 50 goals scored and 5 suffered. In the last match they played, for II Divisao, they beat Atletico Arcos at home by (5-1). In the last 10 away matches Vilaverdense has 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses. The defense has been strong and has only had goals in 1 of the last 4 matches, and their offense has scored frequently, since they have always scored at least one goal in the last 4 matches for this competition.

The Vilaverdense comes to this game with a victory over Atlético Arcos, 5-1, adding in this way the third consecutive win in several competitions. In the previous qualifiers, Vilaverdense eliminated the Bragança, Esmoriz and Boavista teams. In this game away from home, coach António Barbosa must use the usual 4-5-1, privileging the defensive organization and passing in depth for the attack, especially for José Pedro. However, it is important to underline that visitors are currently competing in the National Senior Championship, equivalent to the Portuguese third division. Everything indicates that the visiting coach has his best players.