It has been a season to forgot for Marítimo. The Madeira-based side had fallen into relegation trouble early on in 2021/22 only to be saved by the November appointment of Vasco Seabra and finish 10th, but five losses in their first five matches saw Seabra become the first Primeira manager of the season to receive the ax. João Henriques took the reins but could only last a few months before getting the boot after losing 5-0 to Sporting on December 13 in the Taça da Liga, with José Gomes stepping into the vacancy and leading the club to a 1-1 draw at Rio Ave to end the year. Having played in every Primeira Liga season since 1985/86, Marítimo’s uninterrupted spell in the top-flight is at risk of coming to an end as they currently find themselves five points above Paços de Ferreira and five points behind Gil Vicente in the relegation play-off spot. They are conceding two goals per match and have a goal differential of -19, and they are up against it as they get set to face Sporting in Funchal.

Since losing 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on November 1 and missing out on a spot in the Champions League knockout round, Sporting have responded with 7 straight wins and a combined margin of 26 to 1 to close out the year and currently sit three points off Braga, four points off Porto, and nine away from Benfica. The Lions will be looking to maintain that momentum amid a busy run of fixtures that will see them play Benfica, Braga, Porto, Vizela, Rio Ave and face Arouca in the Taça da Liga semifinals prior to facing FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League, and on paper, this trip to Marítimo should be the easiest fixture by a handsome margin. Sporting capped off the year with a 3-0 win against Paços de Ferrreira with a makeshift midfield pairing, and they should be able to continue their momentum as they count on the return of Hidemasa Morita and Manuel Ugarte – both of whom starred for their countries in the World Cup – to the double pivot.

With the likes of Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards starring in attack and Pedro Porro and Nuno Santos chipping in from the wingback positions, I’m expecting this to be a comfortable victory for Rúben Amorim’s Sporting.