Sporting CP vs FC Alverca

Sporting CP host Alverca at Alvalade looking to build early momentum, while the Ribatejo side are already fighting to climb off the bottom of the table after a rocky start. Sporting sit sixth with four points from two games, but their form hides some nerves — they blew a 2-0 lead to draw at Estrela Amadora before edging Vitória de Guimarães 3-2 after seeing a three-goal cushion cut down. Alverca have just one point, having lost to Porto and drawn 2-2 with Estrela Amadora, a game that also cost them a red card. Fotis Ioannidis is battling lower-back discomfort and could make way for Luis Suárez, while Joao Simoes and Nuno Santos remain sidelined for the hosts. Alverca will be without the suspended Chiquinho, and defender Bastien Meupiyou is a doubt. Our prediction: 3-1