Alverca vs Sporting CP — Liga Portugal

**Alverca 1-4 Sporting CP**

**What set this match apart:** This match was more unusual than 79% of matches, with the atypicality primarily driven by build-up (46%) and attack (30%). The most striking contrast lies in the direct play, where few accurate long balls were in the match, but Sporting CP was clearly ahead (19 to 13, 73rd percentile of gaps). Conversely, despite a low volume of corners in the match, Alverca was clearly ahead (3 to 1, 66th percentile of gaps). Both sides were active in the final third, recording 13 shots on target in total, a volume at the 89th percentile of joint volume.

**How it played out:** Sporting CP exerted significant territorial control, completing 330 passes in the opponent's half compared to Alverca's 122, a +208 gap at the 97th percentile of gaps. They also relied on a patient build-up from the back, completing 307 passes in their own half to Alverca's 132, a +175 gap at the 97th percentile of gaps. Alverca attempted to break the lines through individual actions, recording 10 successful dribbles to Sporting CP's 6, a +4 gap at the 81st percentile of gaps. Defensively, Alverca was more aggressive in winning the ball back, recording 21 tackles to Sporting CP's 12, a +9 gap at the 93rd percentile of gaps. However, Sporting CP were far more productive in front of goal, creating 4 big chances to Alverca's 0, a +4 gap at the 95th percentile of gaps. The physical battle in the air was minimal, with only 10 aerial duels won between the two teams, a volume at the 2nd percentile of joint volume.

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Alverca win 10%, draw 21%, and Sporting CP win 69%. The performances pointed to a Sporting CP win and that is what happened. This was reflected in the final statistics, where Sporting CP recorded 9 shots on target to Alverca's 4.