Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Sporting Lisbon get their Taca da Liga title defence underway on Tuesday when they welcome Famalicao to the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The visitors currently sit at the top of Group B following their emphatic opening-day win over Penafiel back in September and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

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Reigning Primeira Liga champions Sporting Lisbon continued their quest to defend their title on Saturday when they claimed a hard-earned 1-0 win over Moreirense on home turf.

In a one-sided contest, 31-year-old defender Sebastian Coates continued his sensational goalscoring form as he netted his third goal in two games inside the opening 16 minutes to condemn the visitors to their fourth defeat of the season.

This was a fourth win on the bounce for the Leoes, who have now brushed aside Arouca, Belenenses, Besiktas and Moreirense since suffering a slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of Dortmund in the Champions League back in September.

Ruben Amorim's side, who ended their two-decade wait for the Primeira Liga title last term, currently occupy third place in the league table, tied on 23 points with Porto and one behind league leaders Benfica.

Sporting Lisbon now turn their attention to the Taca de Liga, where they clinched their third title last term when they edged out Braga 1-0 in the final, courtesy of Pedro Porto's 41st-minute strike back in January.

Meanwhile, Famalicao booked their place in the group stages of the Taca da Liga when they picked up successive wins over Feirense and Estoril Praia in the two qualifying rounds.

The Vila Nova maintained their fine run of results in the tournament as they claimed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Segunda Liga outfit Penafiel when the sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao back in September's Group B opener.

Ivo Vieira's side have endured a rough start in the Primeira Liga as they are currently level on six points with Santa Clara and Arouca in the relegation places after picking up six points from their opening nine outings.

However, Famalicao head into Tuesday's game in rejuvenated form, claiming successive wins over Academica Coimbra and Santa Clara, and they will look to carry on this form into the Taca da Liga and strengthen their position at the top of the standings.

While they face the stern test of taking on a rampant Sporting Lisbon side, they will feel confident of coming away with the desired result as they are unbeaten in each of the last five meetings between the sides, claiming two wins and three draws.

Team News

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Sporting Lisbon head into this cup tie without the services of Tabata after the Brazilian forward picked up a knee problem in the game against Aurora three weeks back.

Other than that, there are no concerns on the injury front for Amorim and we expect the Portuguese manager to name a reshuffled side in midweek with few key players getting rests.

Should that be the case, there could be spots for the midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte and Ricardo Esgaio and 19-year-old forward Tiago Tomas, who all impressed off the bench against Moreirense last time out.

Daniel Braganca was handed his third starting appearance of the season in the aforementioned game and after his stellar midfield display, the 22-year-old could retain his place in the XI in midweek.

Meanwhile, Brazilian defender Alex Nascimento is a major doubt for Famalicao after the Santos loanee trudged off the pitch with a 66th-minute injury against Santa Clara over the weekend.

Should the 22-year-old fail to shake off his injury, his compatriot Riccieli could come into the XI and team up with either Dylan Batubinsika or Alexandre Penetra at the heart of the defence.

With his brace against Os Acoreanos last time out, Simon Banza has now scored seven goals in his last seven games, but the Lens loanee will play no part in this game after receiving his marching orders in the 89th minute.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Neto, Coates, Feddal; Porro, Ugarte, Braganca, Reis; Esgaio, Tomas, Paulinho

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Riccieli, Penetra, Marin; Pickel, Pepe; Jaime, Paulo, Tavares; Marques

We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Famalicao

Following a slow start to the season, Famalicao head into the game in resurgent form and will fancy their chances against Ruben Amorim's side. However, the hosts have been the better side for most of the season and we predict they will make use of their home advantage and come out victorious in this one.