Sporting visits Moreirense this Saturday, February 21st, while Benfica hosts AVS, at a time disturbed by the Prestianni case. The Lisbon rivals are chasing the leader FC Porto, in the 23rd round of the Portuguese Football League.
Os ‘lions’ are four points behind leader FC Porto and will face Moreirense, which follows in sixth. The two-time national champions are looking to win to put pressure on the ‘dragons’, who enter the field on Sunday, at home, with Rio Ave.
The coach Rui Borges has some absences from the team, including the suspended Pedro Gonçalvesbut will now be able to count on striker Luis Suárez, who returns after suspension. Benfica, third, three points behind Sporting and seven behind FC Portohosts the last classified AVS, a team that is coming off its first victory in the championship and which is already nine points away from the maintenance playoff spot.
The ‘reds’ face AVS in the middle of the play-off access to the round of 16 of the Champions League, with Benfica visiting Real Madrid, on Wednesday, after the home defeat in the first leg, 1-0. The game was marred by Prestianni’s alleged racist insults against Vinícius Júnior.
O Argentine winger will be left out of coach José Mourinho’s options for today’s game, due to serving suspension. The two rivals from Lisbon enter the field at 6pm, before the Minho derby, with Sporting de Braga, fifth placed, hosting ‘neighbors’ Vitória de Guimarães, who are eighth, eight points behind Braga. Also this Saturday, Alverca hosts the ‘afflicted’ Santa Clara, andwhile Nacional visits Aroucain a game between two teams that want to score points to distance themselves from the ‘dangerous’ places in the table.
Program and results of the 23rd round of the I League:
Friday, Feb 20:
Estrela da Amadora – Tondela, 0-2
Saturday, Feb 21:
Alverca – Santa Clara, 15:30
Arouca – National, 15:30
Benfica – AVS, 18:00
Moreirense – Sporting, 18:00
Sporting de Braga – Vitória de Guimarães, 20.30
Sunday, Feb 22:
Estoril Praia – Gil Vicente, 18:00
FC Porto – Rio Ave, 20:30
– Monday, February 23:
Famalicão – Casa Pia, 20:15
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