FC Porto vs Sporting CP

A rivalry so rich in history is set for Friday night action as top of the table Sporting CP make the journey to the Estádio do Dragão to take on FC Porto. Only suffering defeat twice this season from 20 games, Sporting CP are closing in on Liga Portugal glory as they are currently first in the league with a six point gap ahead of second place Benfica. Their opponents come into this game hunting them down with Porto sat third place in the league. With departures from both long serving winger Galeno and now young midfielder Nico González, FC Porto will need to prove their strength with losing some big players in their side.

Key Stats

• Both teams are tied for the most clean sheets in the league this season with 11
• Sporting striker Victor Gyökeres is the top scorer in the competition with 22 goals
• Both teams come into this game unbeaten in their last three matches

Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

New manager Martin Anselmi was unable to find victory in his first league match in charge, drawing 2-2 to Rio Ave in a game which they had to fight back from being a goal behind on both occasions. Only managing five goals from their last five matches, Cidade Invicta need to up their game if they are to keep up their fight at the top end of the table and a victory in this game would help massively to hold back the league leaders.

Hunting for back-to-back Liga Portugal titles, Sporting Lisbon have built a strong case for themselves as the are currently six points clear at the top. Establishing themselves as the highest scoring team by ten goals, Rui Borges’s side are hoping to continue breaking away from the competition with the Lisbon based team picking up ten goals from their last five matches.

FC Porto Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-Up: Costa; Moura, Otavio, Djalo, Mario; Varela, Eustaquio; Mora, Pepe, Borges; Aghehowa

After confirming their spot in a Europa League knockout playoff spot, Porto returned to league action which saw a late goal from defender Otavio rescue a point for Anselmi’s side. Collecting only one win from their last five league games, it will not have helped Porto to have lost young star Nico Gonzáles who has made his way to English giants Manchester City. There is another Spanish star who has remained at Porto, young striker Samuel Aghehowa. The 20 year old has netted 13 league goals so far this season and continues to look hungry to increase this number.

Sporting CP Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-Up: Silva; Araujo, Inacio, Diomande, Fresneda; Morita, Hjulmand; Quenda, Braganca, Trincao; Gyökeres

2024 was a monumental year for Swedish striker Victor Gyökeres as he managed 52 goals from 56 games for both club and country. He has started this year well collecting seven goals six game so far in 2025 across all competitions and has been a high target for the biggest clubs across the world. Averaging more than a goal a game this season, Gyökeres has been completely unstoppable all season long.

Coming into this game off the back of a 3-1 victory over 17th place Farense, Sporting CP have taken their tally to seven games unbeaten in the league and with the form they are in, they look sure to continue this streak against a struggling Porto.

Head to Head Stats

Sporting CP have already defeated Porto twice this season, collecting one in the league and one in the Portuguese Cup. However, the last game in which these two sides faced off at the Porto home stadium, it ended in a 2-2 stalemate, with a brace for Victor Gyökeres in the closing minutes of the game to rescue a point for the Lisbon side.

Betting Tips

Due to FC Porto having to completely shift around their team with gaps made through players leaving and the manager still getting to grips with his side, Sporting are the worst opponents they could come up against at this time period.

For this reason, our betting professional suggest Sporting CP to Win as the best value tip for this match. With odds at 13/8, a bet of £10 could see a return of up to £26.25

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction: FC Porto vs Sporting CP

FC Porto 1-3 Sporting CP