Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs. Porto - prediction, team news, lineups

Ahead of the 246th meeting between the sides, both are some way off the other side in the 'Big Three', league-leaders Benfica.

Match preview

Sporting can enter the fixture with confidence knowing they have won all but one of their home games in the Primeira Liga this season.

However, defeat at Maritimo recently saw them lose even more ground, and a draw in the Lisbon derby versus Benfica at the Estadio da Luz meant that they failed to make it up.

Winning just four of their last seven matches is underwhelming for the standards Sporting are used to on the domestic front, and that is why they find themselves 15 points off the top.

A 5-0 thrashing of Braga helped their Champions League prospects though, as it moved them to within just five points of Braga who are in third.

Attacker Youssef Chermiti could well be the next big thing to come out of the Sporting academy following his recent exploits.

The 18-year-old made his full debut in the win over Braga, registering an assist before scoring the late winner at Rio Ave last weekend.

He will hope to play a key role in Sporting earning their first league win over Porto since 2016, as well as ending a seven-game winless streak against their next opponents.

Porto will still be riding high from the last meeting between the sides, which came just two weeks ago in the League Cup final.

Stephen Eustaquio and Ivan Marcano goals decided where the first piece of major silverware went in Portugal this season, as Porto ran out 2-0 winners in Leiria.

They also find themselves in a much stronger position to challenge Benfica at the top of the Primeira Liga.

Sergio Conceicao's side are eight points behind Benfica, but with a game in hand, and there is still time for them to stay close the gap before they face them at the start of April.

Eight wins in a row in all competitions have seen Porto claim the League Cup, and also book their spot in the Taca de Portugal semi-finals, where strugglers Famalicao await.

Their fantastic run of form extends even further back as they are 20 matches unbeaten, with defeat in the O Classico against Benfica back in October being the last time they were beaten.

Porto are usually resolute at the Jose Alvalade too, as they have only lost twice in the league here since 2010.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

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L

D

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Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

D

W

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L

W

W

Porto Primeira Liga form:

W

D

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Porto form (all competitions):

W

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Team News

Hector Bellerin made his Sporting debut as a late substitute in the win over Rio Ave last weekend.

He was brought in on a free transfer to replace the outgoing Pedro Porro, so will battle for the spot at right wing-back with Ricardo Esgaio.

Ousmane Diomande also made his debut after the teenager arrived from Danish side Midtjylland late in the January window.

Daniel Braganca is set to be their only injury absentee for this clash.

Conceicao made five changes to his Porto side for their cup win over Academico Viseu in midweek.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa and top scorer Mehdi Taremi were left on the bench against their lower-league opponents, but both should return here.

Gabriel Veron is out injured along with their League Cup final hero Eustaquio, who is recovering from a bruised knee.

Otavio is also set to miss out with a muscle problem, while Wendell is a doubt after being stretchered off last weekend.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Adan; St. Juste, Goncalo Inacio, Matheus Reis; Ricardo Esgaio, Morita, Ugarte, Nuno Santos; Edwards, Chermiti, Pedro Goncalves

Porto possible starting lineup:

Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Zaidu; Pepe, Grujic, Uribe, Galeno; Taremi, Evanilson

We say: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Porto

This will be an intriguing battle between a side very strong at home against a side who have been unbeatable for months now.

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