Sporting Lisbon travels to the Estádio Clube Desportivo das Aves on Sunday, April 26, 2026, to face bottom-placed AVS in a pivotal Primeira Liga fixture. The visitors aim to snap a three-game winless streak across all competitions to maintain pressure on the league leaders.
The Leões currently occupy third place in the standings with 71 points from 29 matches, trailing second-placed Benfica by one point and leaders Porto by eight. Despite a recent 2-1 derby loss to Benfica, Rui Borges’s side holds a game in hand as they pursue a late-season surge.
AVS enters the contest having already been relegated from the top flight following a 2-2 draw with Rio Ave last weekend. The Vila das Aves outfit sits 18th with 13 points, managing only one victory and 19 defeats throughout a challenging 30-match campaign.
Primeira Liga Top Three StandingsPositionTeamPointsPlayedGoal Difference1Futebol Clube do Porto8231+632Benfica7230+453Sporting Lisbon7129+55
Statistical data provided by OneFootball highlights a significant gap in performance between the two sides. Sporting leads the division with 74 goals and maintains an average of 61% possession, while AVS has conceded a league-high 64 goals while scoring just 21 times.
Sporting’s offensive efforts are spearheaded by Luis Suárez, who leads the Golden Boot race with 24 goals. He is supported by Pedro Gonçalves with 13 goals and Trincão, who has recorded 11 assists this season, according to Transfermarkt data.
Injury concerns persist for the visitors following their midweek Taca de Portugal semi-final against Porto. Centre-back Goncalo Inacio and captain Morten Hjulmand are doubtful after being forced off, while Maxi Araujo is being monitored after picking up a knock.
AVS will be without forward Tomane due to a suspension for accumulated bookings, leaving the hosts thin in attack. Antoine Baroan also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury sustained earlier this year.
Historical records favor Sporting, who have won three of the last four meetings between the clubs. This includes a dominant 6-0 league victory in December and a narrow 3-2 win during their Taca de Portugal encounter in February.