Aves V Sporting Lisbon
Monday 30th September 2019 – 20:15 Kick-Off
Portuguese Primeira Liga
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/2 | 12/5 | 4/7 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 28th September 2019 at 14:45)
Preview: Some Portuguese Primeira Liga action on Monday, as the final fixture for Matchday 7 sends Sporting Lisbon to the Estadio do Clube Desportivo das Aves where awaiting them will be bottom club Aves. This same fixture in 2018-19 would end in favour of the Lisbon outfit, winning 3-1 despite being reduced to ten men within the opening five minutes. Can Sporting power towards another routine win?
Portuguese Football Betting – 22Bet
Aves Preview – Desperate times for league’s bottom club?
Since securing a berth into the Portuguese Primeira Liga for the first time in the club’s history back in 2017, Aves have remained relatively competitive at this level. Two seasons spent in the esteemed company of the country’s best clubs have returned finishing positions of 13th and 14th, finishing a couple spots and four points above the relegation zone at the end of the previous term.
The key last season was a strong performance in the second half of the campaign, which would appear to be the game plan once again judging by their early results. Just three points collected from their first six league games (W1 L5, GF9 GA18) has meant the club which resides in the north of the country are the ones propping up the table in last place at this early stage.
Victory here, however, could see them clamber onto safer footing. That would seem improbable based purely on current form, as we need to go back over a month to recognise their one and only successful outcome so far this season – that being a 3-1 triumph at home to a fellow struggler, Maritimo. Prior to that it was defeat at Boavista (2-1), and since clinching victory the team has embarked on a four game losing sequence that seen them concede 14 times. Meanwhile, all six league fixtures would return both teams to score.
Sporting Lisbon Preview – Woeful recent form dents Sporting appeal?
Not since 2002 has this club got their hands on the biggest prize in Portuguese football, the Primeira Liga title, which is an awfully long time for a club that has won the league 18 times. And if taking seven points from their opening three fixtures briefly teased of them being in contention this season, a subsequent run of three games without winning has introduced everyone back to reality with aplomb.
A last-gasp own goal from defender Sebastian Coates – and this wasn’t his first offence, having also netted past his own goalkeeper in Europe this season – sunk Sporting in their most recent league encounter, losing 2-1 at home to the now league leaders, Famalicao. That made it no win in three league games (D1 L2), whilst also continuing the theme of chaotic, high-scoring affairs.
All six games in this season’s Primeira Liga involving Sporting Lisbon have featured both teams among the goals, as the Green and Whites continue to thrill and terrify supporters in equal measure. At least on their travels manager Silas has witnessed his team remain unbeaten (W1 D2, GF5 GA3), though 1-1 draws with Maritimo and Portimonense would be filed under ‘disappointing’ for a club with lofty ambitions.
Aves V Sporting Lisbon Key Facts:
- Aves are bottom of the league table after one win from their first six matches (W1 D0 L5).
- Sporting Lisbon have fallen to 8th in the Portuguese top-flight after no win in three games (D1 L2 – W2 D2 L2 overall).
- Both league meetings in 2018/19 were won by Sporting Lisbon; both produced at least four goals in the match, and both produced BTTS.
Betting Summary
Aves are rooted to the bottom of the league (W1 D0 L5) but are usually good for a goal or two themselves: they’ve scored at least once in all six fixtures to date, which improves to two when at home having scored three in a 3-1 victory over Maritimo and two in a losing effort with surprise league leaders Famalicao (2-3). In fact, 100% of their league games has seen both teams scoring.
Sporting Lisbon are in the midst of a poor spell of form, going their last three league games without managing to win (D1 L2) which becomes five in all competitions (D1 L4). On the road they do remain unbeaten, domestically at least, but like their matchday opponents they, too, have seen every one of their league fixtures produce goals for both them and the opposition.
It would be ironic were two teams which have returned 100% records for both teams scoring in their respective league fixtures in 2019/20, not to both get among the goals when playing each other. Neither are in any sort of promising form, and neither can defend, so backing another goal-laden encounter feels an obvious bet.
