Sporting Lisbon vs Porto Prediction & Betting Tips - Liga Portugal

Prediction published on 12/02/2023, 08:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 12/02/2023 at 09:01 in Liga Portugal Predictions

Round 20 of the Portuguese Primera Liga will see one of the biggest matches when Sporting Lisbon plays host to Porto at their Jose Alvalade Stadium on Sunday. Sporting are fourth with 38 points, seven adrift of second placed Porto. The hosts have won 12 matches, drawn two and lost five. After losing 2-0 to Porto in the final of the League Cup two weeks ago, Sporting have been on a tear, scoring six goals without reply in their last two league matches. Ruben Amorim’s men demolished third-placed Braga 5-0 and followed that up with a 1-0 win over Rio Ave last time out. They have won three successive matches and will want to keep that run going as they seek a Champions League qualifying slot. Sporting haven’t won more than three matches on the trot this season which has resulted in them losing considerable ground in the title race. After 19 matches are out of the title race as they trail leaders Benfica by 15 points. They have scored two or more goals in three of their last four matches and conceded three goals in that run as well as keeping two clean sheets. Sporting lost 3-0 to Porto in the first leg but they will be optimistic of a win going into this game as in front of their home support this season, they have won eight of nine matches including seven on the trot.

Porto aren’t just angling for a place in next season’s Champions League but they are also in the mix for the title. With 45 points, the Dragons are eight points behind leaders Benfica and will want to use Sunday’s game in hand to cut the lead to five. Porto have lost just two matches all season and won 14 with three ending in draws. They come to this match on an eight-game winning run across all competitions. Ion their last game, Porto defeated second-division side Académico Viseu 1-0 to progress to the semifinals of the Taca de Portugal. They have also kept three clean sheets in their last three away league matches and will be confident knowing that they have won the last three matches without conceding a goal against Sporting across all competitions.