Sporting v Santa Clara (2025/26): How to watch, likely XI, times and... | OneFootball

Sporting return to action this Friday, April 3, against Santa Clara. The match, counting for the 28th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, against the side coached by Petit, will be played at 8:30 pm at the José Alvalade Stadium.

At the moment, the green-and-whites sit third in the National Championship standings, with 65 points won. Benfica are third with 65 (having played one more match), while Porto lead the competition with 72 points (also having played one more match).

Rui Silva, Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio and Ricardo Mangas; Morten Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita; Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Maxi Araújo and Pote. This is expected, at first glance, to be Sporting’s starting eleven for the match against the Azorean side.

Rui Borges will field his first-choice centre-back pairing, despite some doubts surrounding the Portuguese international, who is said to have returned from the national team carrying a knock. Out wide, given Luis Suárez’s suspension, Maxi Araújo is expected to be used further forward, with Mangas returning to the starting lineup, while Iván Fresneda is untouchable on the right flank.

In midfield, Morten Hjulmand remains one of the Sporting coach’s options and is expected to partner Hidemasa Morita, provided he has recovered. Elsewhere, Geny Catamo should appear on the right, while Maxi takes the left attacking midfield role, with Francisco Trincão supporting the fluid attack, and Pote up front.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.