This will be Franky Vercauteren’s first match as Sporting's Head Coach. All the pressure is on the former Belgium international as the Lions of Lisbon desperately need a win!

Betinho might win a spot in Sporting's line-up in what will be Franky Vercauteren's first match in charge of the Lions.Team News

Vítória de Setúbal will miss Jorge Luiz who is suspended after after seeing red in Guimarães last week. Fonseca, the third goalkeeper, is also unavailable by injury. Head Coach José Mota was also sent off last week and will not be in the dugout.

Sporting have a long injury list. Arias, Boulahrouz, Carriço, Pereirinha and Pranjic are all set to miss Vercauteren's debut. The manager has been left with only four defenders available. This guarantees a spot for Cédric, Rojo, Xandão and Ínsua in the starting XI. The Belgium coach will probably call on some B team players. Eric Dier, Tiago Ilori, Pedro Mendes and Betinho are some of those who can gain a place in the Sporting's roster this Sunday.

 

Analysis

Sporting have not won any of their last six games and, even with a new coach, following Sá Pinto’s dismissal and Oceano Cruz’s one-month interim as caretaker boss, the pressure is very high. It is expected to see some changes in the team, with Ricky Van Wolfswinkel losing his place in attack to the more versatile Elias. Bonfim is not an easy venue for the Lions, with two losses in their last three matches on that soil.

Jorge Mendonça, Vitória's assistant coach, stated that Sporting are the favorites, but his team is ready to try a surprise. Former Sporting player Cristiano and young forward Pedro Santos are the two Setubal players under pressure to score as the club needs three points to remain above the relegation zone. 

Head to Head – Last five matches

03/03/2012: V. Setúbal 1-0 Sporting  
24/09/2011: Sporting 3-0 V. Setúbal
08/05/2011: Sporting 0-1 V. Setúbal  
20/12/2010: V. Setúbal 0-3 Sporting  
11/12/2010: V. Setúbal 2-1 Sporting

Facts

If Vitória de Setúbal win, they will surpass Sporting in the Portuguese League table. With seven games played, both teams have 7 points (1 win, 4 draws, 2 losses).

In December 2012, Sporting won at Bonfim, 3-0. From that starting eleven, Rui Patrício is the only one still in Sporting’s roster. Cédric was on the bench, that night.

With this new job in Portugal, Franky Vercauteren is experiencing his second stint abroad. After being crowned Belgian Champion with Anderlecht and Genk, Vercauteren had a spell in Dubai with Al Jazira, with no remarkable success.

Prediction

Sporting will try to forget all the dark clouds over their heads. The players will try to show their new manager that this team has the quality needed to fight for their goals. Vitória Setúbal will be hard opponents. They might profit from the least error committed by Sporting's defense. 

Result: Vitoria Setúbal 1-1 Sporting