Sporting CP (aka Sporting Lisbon) were runners up in Portugal’s Primera Liga last season, but have been unimpressive in their admittedly challenging preseason schedule so far. They have taken just one win, against Swiss third tier FC Stade Nyonnais, and four defeats, at the hands of Monaco, Zenit, PSV, and Lyon, from their five club friendlies so far. This run of poor results will do little to help their confidence ahead of even more tricky fixtures against Villarreal, Wolfsburg and Real Betis in the coming weeks. While this time of the year is more about fitness than results, there should be some concern about the numbers by which Sporting have been defeated: Monaco defeated them a 4-1 , Zenit also scored four past them in a 4-2 win and PSV went one better managing a 5-0 win.
Though Sporting CP have been shown up in some high scoring defeats in their recent club friendlies, Villarreal’s success last season was almost entirely based on a strong successful defense. Their 44 total goal tally accumulated throughout the season was one of the lowest ever numbers for a side finishing in La Liga’s top four. Villarreal will be keen to focus on developing their seemingly defensively solid strategy in the preseasons ahead of the new season, a strategy that should hopefully see them qualifying through the play-offs into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. We feel Villarreal look the more likely winners based on summer form so far, though the scoreline shouldn’t be high.
Combining this analysis with the statistics below, we expect under 2.5 goals at 11/10 to be a safe bet and Villarreal to win 1-0 at 8/1 with bet365 to be a top value correct score bet for this match.
This friendly represents the first meeting between the two sides.
Villarreal are unbeaten in all 4 of their preseason friendlies (W2 D2). Both teams have scored in 3 out of 4 of Villarreal's (75%) and 3 out of 5 of Sporting CP's (60%) preseason friendlies. Sporting CP have lost their last 3 consecutive friendlies and failed to score in both of their last 2.
Villarreal have made a handful of new signings so far over the summer break including Alfred N'Diaye, who joined from Real Betis for a reported €8m deal, and welcoming back Russian Denis Cheryshev from Real Madrid.
Sporting Club Portugal also have a few new names to add to the team sheet including Argentinian midfielder Alan Ruiz, signed from San Lorenzo for a reported €5m, and Lithuanian striker Lukas Spalvis from Danish side AaB. Watch Live stream free Click Here | Link 2#
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