It’s a clash of two of Liga Nos’ title favourites as FC Porto play host to Sporting in match week 20 of the 2016/17 season. Both teams will be looking to close the gap on first-placed side, Benfica, as they both look to lift the division’s title come the end of the season. FC Porto are second, only 1 point off Benfica in first whilst Sporting sit in third, 7 points from the league leaders. It should be a great game between two Portuguese giants.

STATS

• Porto go into the fixture on quite a good run of form after winning 7 of their last 10 games in the league, their only defeat coming at the hands of Moreirense, a disappointing away loss away at a team fighting for their safety this season.
• Sporting haven’t had the same luck of late and have only won 5 of their last 10 games with 3 losses by just the one goal and 2 disappointing draws with Chaves and Maritimo both with a 2-2 score line.
• Andre Silva has been Porto’s most prolific player in the league so far this season with 12 goals and 2 assists, a tally only bettered by Bas Dost. The Sporting defence must be careful when he’s around the box.
• After the departure of Islam Slimani, Bas Dost has filled the gap perfectly and is currently the league’s top scorer with 16 goals, a tally which averages a goal less than every 90 minutes.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sporting have dominated the recent exchanges between the two sides and have won 4 of the last 6 meetings between the sides. Most recently, Porto were defeated 2-1 by Sporting back in August. Since 2008, the away side has only won the fixture once and that was Sporting last season when they visited Porto.

Head to head matches: FC Porto - Sporting CP

28.08.2016

Liga

Sporting CP

FC Porto

2:1

FC PORTO NEWS

FC Porto have played well in recent weeks but with this weekend’s game being such a big one, they may look to make a few tactical changes against Sporting. They have almost a full squad available for the top of the table clash, which is a brilliant headache for manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, to have. The only absence is defensive midfielder, Ruben Neves, who remains out with a muscle strain.

Latest matches: FC Porto

28.01.2017	Liga	GD Estoril Praia	FC Porto	1:2	W
21.01.2017	Liga	FC Porto	Rio Ave FC	4:2	W
15.01.2017	Liga	FC Porto	Moreirense FC	3:0	W
07.01.2017	Liga	FC Pacos Ferreira	FC Porto	0:0	D
03.01.2017	Taca	Moreirense FC	FC Porto	1:0	L

SPORTING NEWS

Sporting might look towards a more defensive approach as they visit Estadio do Dragao in order to catch Porto on the counter-attack. A lack of real form in recent weeks won’t give them a lot of confidence heading into the fixture but a solid record against Porto will provide a slight morale boost. The only absences for Sporting are both in the defensive midfield positon as William Carvalho misses out through suspension and Bruno Paulista is currently suffering from an injury.

Latest matches: Sporting CP

28.01.2017	Liga	Sporting CP	FC Pacos Ferreira	4:2	W
21.01.2017	Liga	CS Maritimo Madeira	Sporting CP	2:2	D
17.01.2017	Taca	GD Chaves	Sporting CP	1:0	L
14.01.2017	Liga	GD Chaves	Sporting CP	2:2	D
08.01.2017	Liga	Sporting CP	CD Feirense	2:1	W

SUMMING UP!

This game has the potential to be a cracker as so many meetings between these two have been in the past. Both teams have nearly full-strength squads available meaning the best players will be on show and the Estadio do Dragao is always bouncing for fixtures against Porto’s rivals. But with recent form as well as playing at home, Porto go into the game as favourites. Sporting definitely aren’t a weak side and will provide a challenge for Porto. 3 of the last 5 meetings have seen more than 2.5 goals, so there should be goals in this one.