Preview: This fixture looks for its first goal in three meetings
A meeting between Sporting and Porto is always a heated affair. Both sides will meet on Sunday in their 105th meeting at the Estádio de Alvalada, with the hosts having the upper hand at home.
Sporting came into the new season in fascinating form, but they have lost some of that consistency as of late.
Currently 2nd in the Portuguese League, they trail leaders Benfica by seven points, but could cut it to four, with their Lisbon rivals only taking the pitch on Monday. A victory over Porto would also allow the Lions to distance themselves from Porto, who are third, two points back.
Ricardo Quaresma will be a key figure for Porto, who have also struggled as of late.
The former Besiktas player returned to the Portuguese champions in January, and he has slowly started to impose himself in the squad. He will also return to his old stomping grounds on Sunday, as he was a product of Sporting’s youth academy.
“They can boo me and call me names,” said Quaresma when asked about his return to Alvalade.
“In that regard, I’m very confident. I will always play with a clear head, prepared to do my job and help the team claim three points.”
Porto arrives in Lisbon off a victory mid-week against Napoli in the Europa League. A superb strike from Jackson Martinez was the difference, and the Dragons interim manager will hope that goal will give the Colombian striker some confidence.
“Our last two results have really lifted the squad,” Luis Castro told reporters.
“The players are very confident, they have an incredible amount of creativity and they’ve done very well in their individual assignments.”
“We expect a strong Sporting. They are a club that has been very positive throughout the campaign, with Leonardo Jardim doing a fantastic job at the club.”
Both sides will want to grab the first goal, especially seeing as neither side has scored in this fixture from their last three in Lisbon.
The last time a goal was scored between these two in Lisbon was in 2010, when they both drew 1-1. They have drawn their last four, with Porto winless at the Estádio de Alvalade since 2008.
Where to watch this match - start time, live stream, TV channels, live scores
Watch Sporting CP vs FC Porto live on Sunday, March 16, 2014:
In Canada at 15:15 ET on: Portuguese Football League
In the US at 15:15 ET on: Premium Sports
Viewers in Portugal can watch this match live on Sport TV1. For all other regions, please visit the Sporting vs Porto match page for full TV listings.
