Sports
Sporting Lisbon Seek Redemption in Home Losses Ahead of Casa Pia Clash
Sporting Lisbon, currently third in the Primeira Liga, will travel to Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior to face Casa Pia on Friday. The Lions are nine points behind league leaders Porto and four behind second‑placed Benfica. Casa Pia sit in the relegation playoff spot, above 17th‑placed Rio Ave and below 15th‑placed Nacional on goal difference.
Sporting’s campaign has been disrupted by recent defeats. They lost 2‑1 to newly promoted Academico de Viseu at Estadio Jose Alvalade, their most disappointing league result of the season, and suffered back‑to‑back home losses for the first time since November 2024, after a 3‑1 loss to LASK Linz and a 2‑1 defeat to Academico. A 2‑1 win over Maritimo in the Taca da Liga, with Pedro Lima scoring twice, provided some relief.
The Lions have a mixed away record, with four league outings on the road producing alternating wins and draws, including a recent 3‑1 victory over Braga. They have won each of their last six away meetings with Casa Pia across all competitions, scoring at least twice each time.
Casa Pia, under Filipe Coelho, have earned seven points with a 2‑0 win over Estrela Amadora, their first consecutive victories since January 2025. They have collected six points from their last three league matches (two wins, one loss) after a poor start to the season. However, the Geese have lost all four of their Primeira Liga matches at their temporary home in Rio Maior, scoring only once and conceding 13 goals, making them the division’s worst home side.
Team news: Casa Pia’s goalkeeper Andre Gomes is out with an adductor injury; Seba Perez is expected to play after a knock. Jeremy Livolant has returned from a disciplinary ban and may see more minutes. Cassiano started his first league game last week, but Henrique Araujo could be recalled.
Sporting are missing Zeno Debast (leg muscle), Rodrigo Zalazar (thigh), and Nuno Santos (knee). Luis Suarez is likely to start after scoring in each of his last ten appearances.
Possible lineups: Casa Pia: Mandic; Geraldes, Kaly, Sousa, Rosas; Ofori, Clua; Salah, Rego, Pauwels; Araujo Sporting: Kaique Pereira; Fresneda, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo; Doumbia, Altimira, Simoes; Catamo, Suarez, Irankunda