Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Primeira Liga match.
A sparkling Champions League start has given Sporting confidence ahead of their return to domestic action. The reigning champions trail leaders Porto by six points going into this clash with Moreirense, and their attacking strength should deliver a crucial win.
Sporting
Since the international break, Sporting have looked sharp in the final third, beating Famalicão (2:1) in the league and thrashing Kairat (4:1) in Europe. Against the Kazakh side they generated 3.81 xG and forced eight shots on target, underlining their clear superiority through individual quality. In the Primeira Liga Sporting have already scored 15 goals in five matches, showing that Rui Borges’ system has barely been affected by the departures of Viktor Gyökeres and Pernille Harder.
Moreirense
Remarkably, Moreirense arrive level on points with the champions after four rounds, both sitting on 12. However, the fixture list has been far kinder to them. Their most recent away trip exposed their limits as the team fell 0:2 at Gil Vicente. That day Moreirense conceded twice from just 0.86 xGA and failed to register a single shot on target in 90 minutes.
Sporting vs Moreirense Prediction
Sporting’s dominance over Moreirense in Lisbon is longstanding, with nine straight home wins in the last decade. Since September 2023 they’ve twice hit three goals or more against Moreirense (3:0 and 3:1). Expect Sporting to pull clear again here.
