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NederlandSeeking to pick up their fifth win on the bounce, Sporting Lisbon play host to Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Saturday.
The visitors head into the game off the back of holding Benfica to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Taca da Liga and will be looking to build on that performance.
Match preview
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Sporting Lisbon continued their blistering run of results last Tuesday when they claimed a 2-1 win over Famalicao in Group B of the Taca da Liga.
In a one-sided affair, after Manuel Ugarte broke the deadlock eight minutes in to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the interval, Nuno Santos doubled the advantage shortly after the hour mark before David Tavares pulled one back for the Vila Nova in the 90th minute.
Ruben Amorim's men have now won each of their most recent five games in all competitions, stretching back to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
With 23 points from their opening nine games, Sporting Lisbon, who clinched their 19th league title last season, are currently third in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Porto and one point behind leaders Benfica.
The Leoes head into Saturday's game as one of just two sides yet to taste defeat in the league so far and this has been down to the solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch, where they boast the division's meanest record with just four goals conceded.
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Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, continued their string of impressive performances as they fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Benfica in the Taca da Liga last time out.
Prior to that, Pepa's men were on a run of three consecutive victories across all competitions, claiming a 1-0 win over Oliveira Hospital in the Taca de Portugal sandwiched between league wins over Famalicao and Maritimo respectively.
After missing out on a place in Europe by just three points last term, Os Vimaranenses are currently three points adrift of the final Conference League qualification spot as they find themselves in seventh place after picking up 13 points from the opening nine games.
This has been down to their fine run of results on home turf, when they boast the league's fifth best record after picking up two wins and one draw from five games.
While Vitoria de Guimaraes will be looking to keep the ball rolling, they face the stern test of taking on an opposing side who have picked up 11 wins and six draws from the most recent 20 meetings between the teams and are unbeaten in the last five.
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Team News
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Sporting Lisbon remain without the services of Brazilian forward Tabata, who sustained a knee injury in the game against Aurora a little under one month ago.
Besides that, there are no concerns on the injury front for Amorim and we expect the Portuguese manager to stick to his preferred 3-4-3 formation with Pablo Sarabia, Pedro Goncalves and Paulinho handling business at the attacking end of the pitch.
With his strike versus Famalicao last time out, Nuno Santos has now scored three goals in his last four appearances across all competitions and the 26-year-old could retain his place in the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Matous Trmal will play no part in the game after the Czech Republic goalkeeper picked up a back problem against Benfica back in September.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Ghanaian midfielder Joseph Amoah, who continues his long journey to full fitness after sustaining a severe ankle injury last year.
Jorge Felipe is also out of contention for the game after the Portuguese defender sustained an injury in the game versus Arouca back in September.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Neto, Coates, Feddal; Porro, Palhinha, Braganca, Reis; Goncalves, Sarabia, Paulinho
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Victor; China, Leo, Junior, Winck; Rossi, Pelagio, Rossi; Xadas, Alipour; Beltrame
We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Vitoria de Guimaraes
This game sees two in-form sides in the Primeira Liga go toe to toe and we can expect a thriller at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Saturday. However, looking at the gulf in quality between the two sides, we are predicting Vitoria's fine run will come to an end with the hosts coming away with a comfortable win.
