Sporting CP vs FC Porto Prediction: Bragging Rights On The Line In The Highly Anticipated Derby

Sporting CP will welcome FC Porto to the Estádio José Alvalade in the 14th round of the Primeira Liga in what is the most highly anticipated derby match in Portugal.

Sporting CP enter this encounter boasting a poor home record over their opponents in this impending encounter, going winless in four matches (L3 D1) while recording a single win in seven matches. However,  their impressive performance this season could see them eke out a hard-fought win over Sérgio Conceição and put an end to their four-match winless run at the Estádio José Alvalade in this fixture.

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Sporting CP vs. FC Porto, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Sporting CP

Form: LWLWW

Ruben Amorim’s men signed off the Europa League group stage fixture on a high as they eked out a comfortable 3-0 win against Sturm Graz at the Estádio José Alvalade on the last match day, booking their ticket to the knockout stages alongside Atalanta, having finished second with 11 points in Group D.

In their latest league match against Vitoria de Guimaraes away from home, the Leões blew up a one-goal lead to succumb to a narrow 3-2 defeat, marking it down on paper as their second loss of the season in thirteen matches. Despite a floundering performance, the Leões have been in-form when playing at home this season, where they are currently on a seven-match winning streak and, not only that, are unbeaten in fourteen matches (W12 D2) and will likely draw confidence in that to come away with a favorable outcome in this one.

With 31 points accumulated from 13 matches played, Sporting CP sits atop the Primeira Liga standings level on points with second-placed FC Porto, and failure to secure maximum points here could see them drop down the standings.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Adan; Esgaio, Diomande, Inacio; Matheus, Morita, Hjulmand, Paulinho; Pote, Gyokeres, Edwards

FC Porto

Form: WWWLW

With Benfica and Braga eliminated, as the only representative for Portugal in the Champions League, FC Porto advanced to the knockout stages with a 5-3 hammering of Shakhtar Donetsk at the Estádio do Dragão on the final match day of the Champions League group stage fixture. The Dragons finished second with 12 points in Group H.

In their latest league match, they saw off the threat of Casa Pia with a comfortable 3-1 triumph at home, extending their winning run to three matches. Away from home, they are currently on a three-match winning streak since a 1-0 away defeat to Benfica in the fervent derby on September 29th. With one defeat in seven away matches (W6-D0), they too will fancy their chances of coming away with a favorable outcome in this one.

With 31 points accumulated from 13 matches played, FC Porto sits second in the Primeira Liga standings and is one point ahead of third-placed Benfica.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Costa; Sanchez, Pedro, Pepe, Mendes; Jaime, Varela, Eustaquio, Pepe; Taremi, Evanilson

Match Facts

• Sporting CP have seen the total go over 2.5 goals in five of their last seven home matches in the Primeira Liga.
• FC Porto have lost two of their last seven away matches across all competitions (W5 D0).
• Sporting CP averages 2.43 goals per game when playing at home, and FC Porto averages 1.71 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 60 meetings, Sporting CP have won 14 times, FC Porto have won 25 times, and there have been 21 draws, with the goal difference being 72-55 in favor of FC Porto.

Expert Betting Tips

Sporting CP enters this clash as favorites with bookmakers to bag all three points at home, where they have gone unbeaten in fourteen matches. The last time they suffered a loss at home was against FC Porto, their opponents in this impending encounter from the previous season, losing 2-1 on February 12th, marking their third consecutive defeat in this fixture.

With nothing much to separate these two sides in terms of quality and class, we expect this to be a tense affair where a draw can't be ruled out, although backing both sides to find the back of the net here should surface.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.80
• X for 3.5
• Total - Over 2.5 for 1.92