On Monday night, title-challenging Sporting CP travels to Moreirense in a game that could have big implications on the race for the Primeira Liga title.
Moreirense hoping to boost European hopesThe home team is in sixth place in the Portuguese top-flight table, six points adrift of the league's top-four and the European spots in the Primeira Liga.
Their top-four bid has been hindered by inconsistent recent form, as a 1-0 home win over Chaves last time out means that they have won two and lost two of their previous four games in the Primeira Liga.
Moreirense has a relatively strong recent home record in the Portuguese top flight, winning three of their last four matches.
Their recent home games in the Primeira Liga have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight games on home soil.
Moreirense keeping five clean sheets in their last eight home matches in the Primeira Liga has been the main reason for the low-scoring games.
Sporting CP looking to maintain a winning runThe club from the Portuguese capital is neck and neck with city rivals Benfica in the race for the Primeira Liga title. The pair are level on points, but Sporting has a game in hand on the reigning champions.
Sporting recorded a fourth straight competitive win last time out in a 3-1 win at Young Boys in the Europa League. The game also saw them score at least three goals for the fourth straight game.
The visitors have also recorded seven straight victories in the Primeira Liga, having scored at least twice in all of the wins.
Sporting has recorded three consecutive away wins in the Portuguese top flight while scoring at least two goals in their last four league matches on their travels.
What am I backing?Moreirense is unlikely to be an easy opponent for the visitors. However, I am backing Sporting to record a narrow victory.
