Sporting CP vs FC Porto: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :December 16, 2023 at 4:06 PM

Modified at :March 20, 2024 at 12:59 PM

With Benfica and Braga hot on their heels, this fixture will be a fierce battle

The Sporting Clube de Portugal finished their matchday 6 UEFA Europa League group stage fixture with a 3-0 win. Sporting qualified for the playoffs from Group D. And will have to face one of the third-placed sides of the group stages from the UEFA Champions League to make it to the Round of 16 in Europa. With the Liga Portugal leader position at stake, they will now face FC Porto.

Even though Porto have the same 31 points on the table after 13 league games. It is Sporting who keeps the top spot in the Portuguese first-tier league due to a single goal difference lead. With SL Benfica and SC Braga keeping tabs from just around the corner, it will be wise for any of the sides to fight just for a win and march ahead.

Kick-Off:

Monday, 18 December 2023 at 8:15 PM UK

Tuesday, 19 December 2023 at 1:45 AM IST

Location: Estádio José Alvalade

Form

Sporting CP (in all competitions): W-L-W-D-W

FC Porto (in all competitions): W-W-L-W-L

Players to Watch

Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)

In the final Group D fixture of the Europa League for Sporting, Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring against Austrian outfit SK Sturm Graz. The goal took the Swedish forward’s Europa League goal tally to 3. The former Coventry City striker has made 12 appearances in the Portuguese first tier so far. Gyökeres has 9 goals and 4 assists in that period.

Galeno (FC Porto)

On matchday 6 in UCL, Galeno started as a left midfielder for Sérgio Conceição led Porto. The 26-year-old winger gave his side an early lead in just under 10 minutes of the game and also scored again before the half-time whistle. The Brazilian’s 2 goals helped ensure the Portuguese side won the game 5-3 and progressed from Group H along with FC Barcelona.

Match Facts

In the league, Sporting are ranked 1st in performance at home while visitors Porto rank 1st away from home
In the last 8 meetings, Porto have won 5 games while 3 have ended in draws
Both hold 31 points after 13 games. Only a single goal difference lead keeps Sporting in the first spot in the league

Injury & Team News

Rúben Amorim’s side have three of the players scheduled to return in January 2024. This includes centre-back Jeremiah St. Juste, right back Iván Fresneda and winger Geny Catamo. Both Catamo and Juste are out with muscle injuries while Fresneda has shoulder trouble.

Diogo Costa will be the man in between the sticks for Porto. Goalkeeper Samuel still has a few weeks of recovery left. Forward Gabriel Veron still has time to recover from Achilles tendon injury so does centre-back Ivan Marcano. Marcano is out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 36

Sporting CP wins – 9

FC Porto wins – 16

Draws – 11

Predicted Lineup

Sporting CP predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Adan (GK); Esgaio, Diomande, Inacio; Trincão, Hjulmand, Morita, Reis; Edwards, Gyökeres, Goncalves

FC Porto predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Costa (GK); Sánchez, Pepe, Cardoso, Sanusi; Pepê, Varela, Eustáquio, Galeno; Evanilson, Taremi

Match Prediction for Sporting CP vs FC Porto

The 2023-24 Liga Portugal is still very open after 13 league games. Benfica and Braga do have a head-to-head contest several hours before this fixture. The winner of that game will be waiting to pounce on any blunder one of these sides makes. Even though Sporting vs Porto will be a fierce battle, backing Sérgio Conceição’s men to come away with a win. Porto could end up as the league leader by the final whistle.

Prediction: Sporting CP 1-3 FC Porto

Telecast for Sporting CP vs FC Porto

India – No telecast

UK – BT Sport

US – GOLTV

Nigeria – No telecast

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