AVS vs Sporting Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Liga Portugal

AVS vs Sporting Preview

Competition: Liga Portugal
Date: Sunday, February 23
Time: 6:00 PM GMT
Venue: Estadio do Desportivo das Aves
AVS vs Sporting will take place at the Estadio do Desportivo in Matchday 23 of the ongoing Liga Portugal season in the late kick-off slot on Sunday, February 23. The hosts will enter this game in 16th place with 19 points from 22 matches. They currently occupy the relegation playoff spot and are one point from proper safety. However, things are not looking good for them form-wise as they have won just once in their last five matches. The other result will be three defeats and one draw as their struggles continue. In this run, AVS have scored just four times and conceded eight times. They drew 1-1 against Rio Ave in their last match and will look to do one better.
Sporting, on the other hand, lead the league with 52 points from 22 matches. They are two clear of SL Benfica in second place and six clear of FC Porto in third. However, they too have just one win in their last five matches, with the other results being three draws and one defeat. In this run, Sporting have scored six goals and conceded seven goals, and are winless in their last four, with a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund last time out.
On that note, let's take a look at the team news from both camps.

AVS Team News

Manager Rui Ferreira fielded a strong lineup in his team's last match as they secured a 1-1 draw away from home. A few players played well, while the others were average at best, and the manager used four substitutes as well. However, there were no new injuries or suspensions to report. They will have all their players fit and available for selection for the next match.

Sporting Team News

Manager Rui Borges fielded a strong lineup in Sporting's 2-2 draw with Arouca, but rotated his squad slightly for their UCL clash against Dortmund. He will likely return to the full-strength lineup for the league game, but will be without several players.
Captain Morten Hjulmand picked up a red last time and will miss out through suspension. Daniel Braganca (cruciate ligament), Trincao (muscle), Geny Catamo (muscle), Hidemasa Morita (muscle), Jeremiah St. Juste (muscle), Nuno Santos (cruciate ligament) and Pedro Goncalves (cruciate ligament) will miss out as they continue to recover.

AVS vs Sporting Predicted Lineups

AVS Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Guillermo Ochoa (C).
Defenders: Tomas Tavares, Cristian Castro, Aderllan Santos, Rafael Rodrigues.
Midfielders: Gustavo Assuncao, Jaume Grau Ciscar, Lucas Piazon.
Forwards: Vasco Lopes, John Mercado, Gerson Rodrigues.

Sporting Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Rui Silva.
Defenders: Ivan Fresneda, Zeno Debast, Goncalo Inacio, Maximilian Araujo.
Midfielders: Alexandre Brito, Joao Simoes, Francisco Trincao, Goevany Quenda.
Forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Conrad Harder

Head-to-Head Record

These two sides have faced off just once before their upcoming match. That game took place earlier this season as Sporting were at home and secured a comfortable 3-0 win against AVS.

Key Players to Watch

John Mercado (AVS)

The forward has been one of the top goal contributors for AVS so far this season in Liga Portugal. He has bagged three goals and also provided one assist, and is a key component of his team's attack. In a league where goals are on the lower side, each strike will carry weight and Mercado will look to lift his team out of the relegation scrap.

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)

With 26 goal contributions so far in Liga Portugal, the Swede leads charts from across Europe with his stunning numbers. He has bagged 22 goals from 17.80 xG, and provided four assists from 4.46 xA, meaning he has done pretty well to convert chances for his team, and will look to continue doing so.

AVS vs Sporting Prediction

Going by the one previous meeting and recent form, Sporting should win this easily despite being away from home. They are a much stronger side on paper and will come good.

Prediction: AVS 1-2 Sporting

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