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Sporting Lisbon are set to play Villarreal at the Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday in a friendly game.
Sporting Lisbon come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Vizela in their most recent league game. A goal from centre-back Goncalo Inacio and an own goal from centre-back Ivanildo Fernandes sealed the deal for Sporting Lisbon. Montenegrin forward Milutin Osmajic scored the goal for Vizela.
Villarreal, on the other hand, drew 2-2 against Atletico Madrid in their most recent league game. Goals from Senegalese attacker Nicolas Jackson and young striker Jorge Pascual for Villarreal were canceled out by a brace from Argentine forward Angel Correa for Atletico Madrid.
Sporting Lisbon vs Villarreal Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- In four head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Villarreal have won one game, and the other three have ended in draws
- Attacker Pedro Goncalves had 26 goal contributions in 33 league starts for Sporting Lisbon last season.
- Winger Francisco Trincao had 12 goal contributions in 26 league starts for Sporting Lisbon last season
- Striker Gerard Moreno had 10 goal contributions in 14 league starts for Villarreal last season.
- Winger Alex Baena had eight goal contributions in 19 league starts for Villarreal last season.
Sporting Lisbon vs Villarreal Prediction
Sporting Lisbon finished fourth in the league last season. Manager Ruben Amorim would not have been happy with the final league standing, having previously led the club to title success.
They have spent big to sign Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Coventry City, with the Portuguese giants paying €20 million to sign the 25-year-old. Meanwhile, the club will be keen to ensure that talents like Pedro Goncalves and Ousmane Diamonde don't have their heads turned by lucrative bids.
Villarreal, on the other hand, are undergoing a transition. Having let go of manager of Unai Emery to Aston Villa last season, the club have already sold players like Pau Torres, Nicolas Jackson and Samuel Chukwueze this summer.
They have moved quickly to add to their attack, with players like Alexander Sorloth and Ben Brereton Diaz joining the club. However, given the caliber of players who have left, it will be interesting to see if Villarreal make more additions to their squad as the window progresses.
A close game is on the cards, with a draw likely.
Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Villarreal
Sporting Lisbon vs Villarreal Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Game to have over / under 2.5 goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Villarreal to score first - Yes
