Morten Hjulmand handed boost ahead of Santa Clara v Sporting | OneFootball

Morten Hjulmand will return to Sporting's starting eleven against Santa Clara next Thursday, December 18th. After being rested against AFS, the Danish international is ready to reclaim his starting position, especially on a field where he has already made a difference.

According to reports, Sporting's captain is fully recovered from the flu syndrome that kept him on the bench during the 14th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic. Nevertheless, one of the biggest uncertainties remains who will partner with him in the Azores.

Since Hjulmand is entering the starting eleven, Giorgi Kochorashvili will return to the bench, with the uncertainty lying in the choice between Hidemasa Morita and João Simões. Outside the midfield, Rui Borges is expected to make more changes to the Sporting team, with even João Virgínia potentially replacing Rui Silva in goal.

As for the defense, there isn't much room for experimentation. Eduardo Quaresma should take Ousmane Diomande's spot - who left for the CAN - alongside Gonçalo Inácio. Maxi Araújo might drop to the flank, opening a spot up front, to be contested between Alisson Santos and Fotis Ioannidis.

The green and white team will take the field again next Thursday, December 18th, against Santa Clara, in a match related to the round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal. The match against the team led by Vasco Matos will be played at 6:45 PM, on the opponent's ground, in the Azores.

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