Gone are the days of Ricardo Sa Pinto who was replaced by caretaker boss Oceano Cruz this October. The latter managed nothing but three consecutive losses. He is now preparing for his last match in charge of the Lions.
Team News
Carrillo, Labyad and Izmailov were out of Oceano Cruz’ plans in the last match and they are unsure to be available on Monday. Frank Vercauteren, who was announced as the new manager on Wednesday, was in the stands during Sporting’s 2-1 defeat to Genk in the Europa League. The Belgian will make another presence in Alvalade before starting his new role on Tuesday morning.
Académica has a long injury list, with Halliche leaving the pitch after only 22 minutes against Atletico Madrid in Europe. Peiser, João Real, Hélder Cabral, Marcos Paulo and Saleiro are the other players who missed the training session on Friday.
Analysis
It keeps getting harder for the Lions to face their fans at the Alvalade Stadium. The defensive organization is one of Sporting’s biggest problems. Oceano Cruz had no time to improve it and Franky Vercauteren might also have a hard job reconstructing the team.
Victory is expected to change the mood of the hungry Lions who have suffered four defeats on the trot in all competitions. Every Sporting supporter is hoping that Vercauteren saves the situation from Tuesday going. In the meantime, the pressure is on Oceano Cruz to clinch a positive result against a side that aims to remain in the top half of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table.
Wilson Eduardo, loaned by Sporting, will be one of Academica’s main weapons on Monday. Marinho, another product of the Lions young ranks, is also expected to be in the starting eleven.
Head-to-Head: Last five meetings
May 20th 2012: Sporting 0-1 Académica
April 30th 2012: Sporting 2-1 Académica
December 18th 2011: Académica 1-1 Sporting
April 9th 2011: Sporting 2-0 Académica
November 13th 2010: Académica 1-2 Sporting
Facts
• Wilson Eduardo played at Olhanense last season after being loaned by Sporting. On a visit to Alvalade, he scored in a 1-1 draw.
• On February 6, 2010, Académica beat Sporting 2-1 away from home. Académica goalkeeper Ricardo is the only player of that team expected to start this Monday.
• Sporting equalled their worst losing streak by losing their last four matches. Another defeat will see the Lisbon team set a terrible record.
Prediction
It is very obvious that Sporting need a win. However, this urge is working negatively on the players’ mindset. Académica will try to benefit from that pressure although the Lions remain favourites to get a result.
Result: Sporting 1-0 Académica
