Sporting Lisboa and Rio Ave meet at Estádio José Alvalade, in a match for this phase of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals). The history of direct confrontations disputed in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 4 matches won 3 and tied 1. Indeed, the last time these two teams played a game in this stadium, on 18-03- 2018, for the Primeira Liga, Sporting Lisboa won by (2-0). Gelson Martins (24 ‘) and B. Dost (84’) scored the goals of Sporting Lisbon. Rio Ave presents considerable differences in its results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.
Sporting Lisboa:
The home team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Lusitano FCV and Loures. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 9 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 30 goals scored and 18 conceded; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 30 goals scored and 11 conceded. In the last match they played, for the Primeira Liga, they won the Nacional at home by (5-2). In the last 10 home matches Sporting Lisboa has won 8 and lost 2. The team has conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. In 12 games, he suffered the first goal 4 times, but got the comeback in 3.
Sporting Lisbon arrived at this game motivated, after the victory, with a comeback by 5-2, in the reception to the National: the goals of the team were marked by Bruno Fernandes (2), Bas Dost (2) and Jéremy Mathieu. In the last round of the Portuguese Cup, the locals won against Lusitano Vildemoinhos, 1-4. Without big surprises, coach Marcel Keizer should maintain the 4-3-3, favoring the maintenance of possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks. The Dutch striker Bas Dost is the great scorer of this team, with 13 goals scored in 12 games. The new coach will not be able to count on Wendel, Battaglia and Fredy Montero, players recovering from injury.
Rio Ave:
The visiting team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Silves FC and Torreense. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches; against 9 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a draw at home with Belenenses by (2-2). In the last 10 away matches Rio Ave has won 3, tied 2 and lost 5. The team has conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack He has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches.
The Rio Ave comes to this game with a draw, 2-2, in the reception to Belenenses, thus registering the third consecutive match without beating: the goals of the team were scored by Gonçalo Silva and Gelson Dala. It is important to emphasize that visitors add only 3 wins in the last 10 matches played in several competitions. In this game away from home, coach José Gomes will have to take the field to a more defensive starting line, exploring the counterattack: Gelson Dala and Galeno are the main responsible in this type of transition. On the other hand, Carlos Vinícius is the best score of Rio Ave, with 11 goals scored. For this game the coach will not be able to count on Nuno Santos and Makaridze, both injured.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1.70
