Sporting CP vs CS Maritimo Prediction: Expecting A Comfortable Win For The Leões

Sporting CP welcomes CS Maritimo to the Estádio José Alvalade for the 32nd round of the Primeira Liga in hopes of extending their winning streak to four games.

Will Sporting CP be able to secure a convincing victory at home against out-of-form Maritimo, or will they succumb to a shocking defeat?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Sporting CP vs CS Maritimo, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Sporting CP

Form: WWWDW

The Leões recent match against relegation-threatened Pacos de Ferreira on the road didn't prove much of a hassle as they recorded a commanding 4:0 victory to collect all three points thanks to goals from Marafona, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, and Youssef Chermiti.

With that win, they have witnessed their once 10-match unbeaten run being extended to 11 matches, during which they picked up nine wins and two draws, which goes to show that they have typified consistency to the fullest as they seek to add to their tally another resounding result. It's also worth mentioning that they are currently on a three-match winning streak in the Primeira Liga.

After suffering defeat at the hands of FC Porto losing 2:1, they have since gone on to justify themselves as a force to be reckoned with when playing at the Estádio José Alvalade, where they have gone unbeaten in five matches, recording four wins and a draw to accumulate 13 points from a possible 15.

In the standings, they currently occupy fourth place with 67 points and are four points behind the Champions League Qualifiers spot, which is currently occupied by Braga in third. With two games remaining, all they can hope for is that Artur Jorge's men will stumble in their upcoming matches as they seek to overthrow them in their position.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Bellerin, Ugarte, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Trincao, Goncalves

CS Maritimo

Form: DLLWL

Os Verde-Rubros, on the other hand, managed to avert the worst-case scenario that could've seen them with nothing to show for their valiant efforts in their match against relegation-threatened Rio Ave at home as they salvaged a point in a thrilling 2:2 draw, and it's still a mystery as to how they were not able to settle for all three points after having registered 30 attempts at goal, with 8 finding the target.

Prior to that, home advantage didn't have any effect on them as they fell to a convincing 2:1 defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes. In that match, they conceded the game's first goal in the 37th minute from the penalty spot, and the second half saw them concede another in the 65th minute, which meant they were trailing by two goals. However, Geny Catamo narrowed the two-goal deficit to just one as he pulled one back in the 87th minute.

Os Verde-Rubros have only won one of their last five matches, claiming a 3:1 win against Pacos de Ferreira at home while picking up three losses and a draw to accumulate four points. It's also worth mentioning that they are on a three-match winless run, and those results have surely typified inconsistency on their part, making for a more improved showing with their performance crucial moving forward.

Os Verde-Rubros' 15-year presence in the top flight is seemingly under threat as they find themselves in the relegation playoffs in 16th place with 23 points, while they have maintained only a three-point lead over relegation hopefuls Pacos de Ferreira in 17th place. They are five points behind safety, so claiming all three points here will be imperative.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Carne; Paulinho, Junior, Santos, Costa; Afonso, Soares; Correia, Xadas, Catamo; Vidigal

Match Facts

• CS Maritimo are currently on a seven-match losing streak when playing away in the Primeira Liga.
• Sporting CP are currently unbeaten in their last five matches at home.
• Sporting CP averages 2.53 goals per game when playing at home, and CS Maritimo averages 0.6 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 50 meetings, Sporting CP has won 31 times, CS Maritimo has won 10 times, and there have been 9 draws, with the goal difference being 92-42 in favor of Sporting CP.

Expert Betting Tips

CS Maritimo come into this matchup with a not-so-convincing but porous defense that has seen them without a clean sheet in their last 14 matches across all competitions (27 goals conceded), and knowing very well that they are up against a side that has been firing on all cylinders this season only spells for a disastrous outcome for them away from home and their survival hopes making defeat for them here inevitable.

With the third-best home record this season, having collected 37 points in their 15 matches, there's no denying that Sporting CP will want to use that to their advantage to add to their point tally another three points and extend their winning streak to four matches.

Sporting CP are overwhelming favorites with bookmakers, which makes them an unappealing pick in the full-time market. However, picking them to win combined with the total under 3.5 goals should be enough to surface.

• Result + Overs/Unders - Sporting CP & Under 3.5 for 2.10
• Corners - Over 10.5 for 1.68
• Both Teams To Score - No for 1.68