Verdict: Sporting Lisbon win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting the defence of their Primeira Liga title underway on Friday night, Sporting Lisbon will travel to local rivals Casa Pia.
Casa Pia
Starting with the hosts, while Casa Pia might have secured a top-half finish among Portugal’s elite last season, it is fair to say that Joao Pereira’s side limped their way over the finishing line. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Famalicao, the Geese are desperately seeking some much-needed stability this time around. In fact, along with mustering just a single win from any of their final seven Primeira Liga appearances, the Lisbon-based outfit also registered consecutive victories on just a single occasion so far this calendar year. Likewise, hit with a 3-1 defeat when they welcomed the defending champions to the Rio Maior back on March 9th, Casa Pia will be bracing themselves for another stern opening showdowns here.
Casa Pia Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Casa Pia will once again be without former Las Palmas striker Claudio Mendes on Friday night. However, making a permanent switch from Brazilian outfit Internacional this summer, Kaique Rocha should make his competitive debut here.
Claiming the Golden Boot last season after registering 10 Primeira Liga strikes, veteran striker Cassiano will spearhead Pereira’s attack this weekend. Former Southampton skipper Jose Fonte will start at the heart of Casa Pia’s defence.
Sporting Lisbon
As for the visitors, suffering Super Cup heartbreak last week as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 loss against bitter rivals Benfica, Sporting Lisbon are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, making real history last season as they successfully defended their Primeira Liga crown, the Portuguese icons are once again regarded as the standout title contender. Mustering 16 points from their final six top-flight appearances, Rui Borges’ side will certainly be excited by a dominant record against their local foes. Including that routine 3-1 win when they travelled across Lisbon back in March, they also stormed their way to a famous 8-0 romp at the Estadio Jose Alvalde 19 months ago. In fact, Borges’ camp have won all of their seven historic meetings against Casa Pia by an aggregate score of 24-7.
Sporting Lisbon Team News
Arriving from Spanish outfit Almeria this summer and brought in as Viktor Gyokeres replacement in the final third, Luis Suarez will make his full debut on Friday night. Yet to make a single appearance so far this calendar year, Nuno Santos remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury.
Despite continued speculation over a move away from Lisbon, Danish international Morten Hjulmand will start in the middle of the park. Impressive over the summer, academy graduate Geovany Quenda could get some more minutes under his belt this weekend.
Casa Pia vs Sporting Lisbon Key Factors to Consider
- When Sporting Lisbon last travelled to the Rio Maior back on March 9th, the defending champions collected a routine 3-1 win.
- In fact, the Lions have won all of their seven historic meetings against their local rivals by an aggregate score of 24-7.
- Casa Pia registered just a single win from any of their final seven Primeira Liga appearances last season.
- Friday’s hosts have registered consecutive wins across any competition on just a single occasion so far this calendar year.
- Sporting Lisbon have not suffered a single domestic defeat on their travels since back in December 2024.
Conclusion
Getting the defence of their domestic crown underway on Friday night when they travel across Lisbon, the Lions will be looking to lay down an early marker here. Landing a routine 3-1 victory when they travelled to Casa Pia back in March, Borges’ camp do hold a sensational record against the Geese. In fact, remarkably winning all of their seven historic showdowns by an aggregate score of 24-7, Sporting should be smelling a real opportunity this weekend.
Verdict: Sporting Lisbon win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
