Sporting’s defence has been sliced open in their first two games of the season. Alverca will make the short trip with plenty of confidence and can score, BTTS my best bet.
HTH
Sporting have a 9-5 advantage against Alverca alongside three draws. Five of their previous seven victories have come with BTTS.
Sporting Leaking Goals
Sporting won all seven preseason matches but have looked vulnerable in the top flight. A huge movement of players in the transfer window has resulted in a completely new look midfield.
The Lions took a 2-0 lead at Estrela da Amadora but capitulated and were fortunate to escape with a 2-2 draw. It was a similar story against Guimaraes last time out.
Flávio Gonçalves, Fotis Ioannidis and Sergi Altimira scored to establish a 3-0 half-time lead before another second half collapse. Rui Borges’ side held on to win 3-2, ending the contest with 5-12 shots.
Borges was disappointed with the second half performance: "A great first half, where we didn't even let Vitória believe they could take points from Sporting, and a second half where we stopped believing."
"We lost our ability to press, some energy in closing down the distance to the ball carrier, we appeared very passive. We need to have much more intensity at that moment. These are growing pains that we will have to endure."
Alverca Off the Mark
Alverca have lost some important players and started the new campaign with Sergio Ferreira in charge after manager Custódio Castro left the club.
The Lisbon club had a tough start to the season, losing 2-0 at Porto. They had 15-9 shots and created 1.60 xG but couldn’t find the net.
Ferreira’s side fell behind against Estrela da Amadora before goals to Ian Luccas and Vivaldo Semedo turned it around. They conceded again and held on after Chiquinho was sent off in the 74th minute.
The manager commented after the match: "We had more control in the first half. In the second half, we didn't start as well, and Estrela reacted fantastically and turned the result around. We conceded the equaliser, but the team was courageous. We're sad, the team deserved more."
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Sporting CP (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo; Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia; Geny Catamo, Rodrigo Zalazar, Flávio Gonçalves; Luis Suárez
Nuno Santos and João Simões are out and Fotis Ioannidis is doubtful due to muscle problems. Luis Suárez continues to wait for his first start of the season.
Georgios Vagiannidis is another doubt which could see Iván Fresneda start at right-back. Daniel Bragança and Pedro Gonçalves continue to be shopped around to other clubs.
Expect to see new signing Nestory Irankunda coming off the bench.
Alverca (3-4-3): Matheus Mendes; Steven Baseya, Sergi Gómez, Yaya Bojang; Nabil Touaizi, Davy Gui, Ian Luccas, Isaac James; Figueiredo, Vivaldo Semedo, Marco Essimi
Julián Martínez continues to deal with a meniscus injury and Sabit Abdulai has a knee injury. Bastien Meupiyou is out which could see Sergi Gómez or new signing Eyimofe Jemide start in central defence.
Winger Chiquinho is suspended with Marco Essimi set to start out wide. Rayan Lucas is a chance to replace Davy Gui in midfield.
How to Watch Sporting CP vs Alverca Live
- Competition: Liga Portugal
- Round: Matchday Three
- Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
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