"Starting with the hosts, while Sporting Lisbon might have a real battle on their hands in the race to defend their Primeira Liga crown this season, the Portuguese heavyweights are enjoying what has become an extended purple patch. Last seen over the weekend getting February underway with a 2-1 victory at home against Nacional, Rui Borges' men have won all of their previous five appearances across all competitions and the mood in their camp appears to be at a red-hot high."
"Storming their way to a sensational Champions League Round of 16 ticket last week as they claimed a thrilling 3-2 win away at Athletic Bilbao, Sporting have collected some famous scalps. Landing an iconic 2-1 win against reigning European PSG on January 20th, Borges' high-flying squad are riding a major wave of momentum. Finding a real clinical edge in the final third, Thursday's hosts have also gained a fearsome reputation for their dominance on home soil."
"As for the visitors, while AVS might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their Primeira Liga status, Joao Henriques' side have already accepted their fate this time around. Breaking a string of unwanted records this season and already planning for life back in Portugal's second-tier, Thursday's guests have remarkably claimed just five points from any of their 20 Primeira Liga appearances so far this season."
Sporting Lisbon will host AVS at the Estadio Jose Alvalde in the Taca de Portugal as they seek a semi-final berth. Sporting have won five consecutive matches across competitions, including a recent 2-1 home win over Nacional and a 3-2 Champions League victory away at Athletic Bilbao. The team also beat PSG 2-1 in January and have won 11 of their last 12 home games, demonstrating strong attacking form and home dominance. AVS sit bottom of the Primeira Liga with only five points from 20 matches, are 13 points adrift of safety, and face relegation after a recent 4-0 home defeat.
Read at Soccer News
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