Famalicao - Sporting CP predictions and free betting tips [03/02/2024]

Sporting Lisbon is trying to maintain a leading position in Portugal's Primeira Liga, but as always, their main adversaries Benfica and Porto are lurking close behind, waiting for a slip-up from the "green-whites". In the 20th round of the championship, the club from the Portuguese capital will visit Famalicao, who surprisingly find themselves high up in the table, well within the thick of things. 

Famalicao

"Famalicao" hasn't suffered many losses, as sometimes Joao Pedro Souza's players have managed to fight to a draw in difficult battles, and sometimes they had to finish off an opponent who looked inferior. Overall, with such results, the club from Braga district can easily settle in the table's midsection, which is exactly where they aspire to be. 

In the previous round, Famalicao lost away to "Moreirense", having a lacklustre performance in a game that nearly lacked significant events, but the hosts still found their goal. In the new year, Joao Pedro Souza's squad only has one victory, which was gained away at Casa Pia. 

Famalicao has a well-assembled team with a classic forward in Jonder Kadis, who has scored a third of his team's goals. Francisco Moura, who will miss the match with "Sporting" due to a yellow card suspension, will leave a big void in Famalicao's left flank. 

Joao Pedro Souza's team is very pragmatic, making it quite a formidable opponent for Lisbon's players. 

Sporting Lisbon

Sporting has been almost perfect this season. It's clear the club is aiming for the championship, especially when their competitors keep stumbling along the way in the Primeira Liga. There was some disappointment in Ruben Amorim's players after they lost the semifinal of the Portuguese Cup to Braga, even though Sporting Lisbon seemed much better, but failed to execute, making the 1:0 defeat and "green-whites'" rival's eventual victory over Estoril in the final. 

Following that, they scored an emphatic 8:0 victory over Casa Pia, where even the central defender Sebastian Coates notched a brace. Since the start of the new year, Sporting has won all their Primeira Liga matches. It's no surprise, therefore, to see the capital team in first place in the table; it's only logical. 

Ruben Amorim has a well-seasoned and fairly strong squad by Portuguese league standards. All leaders are fit, except for Usman Diomande who is playing for the Ivory Coast national team in the home African Cup of Nations. Swedish forward Victor Djokeresh is having a great season with his market value reaching nearly 50 million euros, which justified his purchase from English side Coventry City. 

Sporting are the favourites in the away match against "Famalicao", but I would surmise that the host's tenacity would prove difficult for the speedy Portuguese capital team. 

Head-to-Head

In the first round, Sporting Lisbon won 1:0 against Famalicao at home, with the single goal coming from Paulinho. 

Match prediction: Famalicao - Sporting

I'll be placing my bet on the total under 2.5 goals in this match. If "Famalicao" manage to keep the score goalless until the break, they could very likely hope for at least a draw - a wager that carries quite a neat odds with the bookmakers.