Sporting CP start their bid for a hat-trick of Primeira Liga titles with a trip to Casa Pia as the Portuguese top flight gets back underway.
The Lisbon giants slugged it out in an epic duel with city rivals Benfica last term, eventually sealing the title by a two-point margin on the final day.
Losing boss Ruben Amorim to Manchester United in November had the potential to derail their campaign but successor Rui Borges managed to get them over the line again.
He will now be looking to cement Sporting's status as top dogs in Portugal but Viktor Gyokeres will be a big loss after the star striker moved to Arsenal in the summer.
Casa Pia will be out to shock the champions in the opening fixture, with this game a smaller Lisbon derby than the rivalry with Benfica.
Since winning promotion back to the top flight for the first time in 83 years, Casa Pia have established themselves in the Primeira Liga, finishing 10th, ninth and ninth in the last three seasons.
They will be looking to continue their progress in the new campaign but taking on Sporting CP is a tough first assignment for Joao Pereira's side.
How the bookies view it: Champions hot favourites
BoyleSports can't see Sporting Lisbon slipping up on day one as they make the champions 3/10 favourites. Casa Pia are 8/1 for a shock win while the draw pays 15/4.
Recent head to head: Sporting rout of sight
Sporting CP have dominated this Lisbon derby since Casa Pia's top-flight return, winning all six matches. They even dished out an 8-o thrashing two seasons ago to underline their dominance of this fixture.
Players to watch: Try Harder
With Gyokeres away, Conrad Harder started up front in last week's Super Cup loss to Benfica that saw the Betting Desk correctly predict a large amount of cards. Harder drew a blank in that derby but is 21/20 with Bet365 to find the net against another Lisbon side.
Jeremy Livoland chipped in with four goals from midfield last term for Casa Pia. That makes him a decent long-odds option for a goal here at 13/2 with Bet365.
Probable line-ups
Raul Blanco, Kiki and Clau Mendes are doubts for Casa Pia while Sporting CP are set to be without Daniel Braganca and Nuno Santos due to injuries.
Casa Pia: Sequeira, Benaissa, Rocha, Goulart, Larrazabal, Perez, Roberto, Sousa, Livoland, Osundina, Svensson.
Sporting CP: Silva, Fresneda, Inacio, Diomande, Araujo, Hjulmand, Morita, Catamo, Trincao, Harder, Goncalves.
Anything else catch the eye?
Although Sporting Lisbon have dominated this fixture in the last three seasons, the games at Casa Pia's home have been pretty close. BTTS and over 2.5 goals came up in all three so combining those bets could pay off here at 6/4 with BoyleSports. Backing both teams to score on its own is also decent at 21/20.
Only one of the last six meetings has seen over nine corners so betting against a lot of flag kicks could pay off. Bet365 price under nine corners at a decent 6/5.
The Portuguese champions should be too strong for Casa Pia and backing them to be winning at half-time and full-time pays 20/21 with BoyleSports.
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