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NederlandFresh off the back of a humiliating Champions League defeat at the hands of Ajax, Sporting Lisbon will be looking to restore pride when they visit the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to face Estoril Praia on Sunday.
The hosts, who are one of four teams yet to lose a game this season, have hit the ground running in the Portuguese top flight and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Newly-promoted Estoril Praia maintained their dream start to the Primeira Liga campaign last Monday when they claimed a 2-1 win over Tondela.
In a nerve-racking contest at the Estadio Joao Cardoso, Chiquinho and Leonardo Ruiz scored to hand Canarinhos a 2-0 half-time lead before Juan Manuel Boselli pulled one back five minutes after the restart.
Bruno Pinheiro's side have now picked up victories in all but one of their opening five games this season, with the goalless draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes on August 13 being the only exception.
That has been down to their solid work at the defensive end of the pitch, where they boast the division's best record, and their free-scoring frontmen who have netted nine times so far.
While going up against Sunday's visitors is a tough ask for any side in the league, Estoril Praia will feel confident of coming away with the desired result as they have won each of the most recent two meetings between the teams.
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Meanwhile, reigning champions Sporting Lisbon were held to a second consecutive 1-1 draw in their last Primeira Liga outing when they squared off against title contenders Porto last Saturday.
In a riveting contest between two of the biggest sides in the division, Nuno Santos gave the Leoes the lead with a 16th-minute strike before Luis Diaz netted his third goal of the campaign in the 71st minute to force a share of the spoils.
What followed next for Ruben Amorim's men was a 5-1 home loss against Eredivisie champions Ajax in their Champions League Group C opener, as Sebastien Haller hit four goals to cap off a stellar individual performance on Wednesday.
That was the first defeat in 12 outings for Sporting Lisbon, who have picked up eight wins and three draws since falling to a 4-3 loss at the hands of Benfica back in May.
Sunday's visitors now return to home soil, where they are currently fourth in the league table and unbeaten so far, picking up three wins and two draws while scoring nine goals and conceding three.
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Team News
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Estoril Praia head into the game with no concerns to handle on the injury front, and we expect Pinheiro to name his strongest side for this stern challenge.
Bruno Lourenco, who has one goal and three assists to his name already, has been pivotal in the Canarinhos' impressive start to the season, and we expect the 23-year-old forward to lead the attack with Andre Franco and Chiquinho, who have also scored two goals respectively.
Sporting Lisbon will take to the pitch without ever-present defender Goncalo Inacio, who hobbled off with a 21st-minute injury in the Champions League tie against Ajax on Wednesday.
Portuguese sensation Pedro Goncalves, who has already hit three goals this term, is also a doubt for Sunday's game after missing out against the Eredivisie side through injury.
However, captain Sebastian Coates, who was also absent midweek due to a suspension, is expected to return to the fold to handle business at the heart of the defence.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Soria, Africo, Ferraresi, Joaozinho; Geraldes, Gamboa, Franco; Chiquinho, Franco, Lourenco
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Feddal, Coates, Reis; Esgaio, Palhinha, Nunes, Vinagre; Cabral, Paulinho, Santos
We say: Estoril Praia 0-3 Sporting Lisbon
After a blistering start to the season, Sporting Lisbon have suffered a slight slump in form as they have dropped points in each of their last two league games. However, looking at the gulf in class and experience between the two sides, we predict they will bounce back from their Champions League defeat and return to winning ways.
