'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMOkSj//xAAdEAADAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABRETBBKh/9oACAEBAAE/ANfrIQ0mzOw8eBs8ElCkQeUPYAWPzKjrq6MB7KSp4z//xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIh/9oACAECAQE/AKxSf//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQMBAT8Af//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Third-placed Porto will entertain league leaders Sporting Lisbon at Estádio do Dragão in an exciting Primeira Liga clash on Sunday.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions, recording two wins on the trot. They met Casa Pia in their previous league outing last week, recording a 2-1 away win. Galeno opened the scoring in the 31st minute, but Nuno Moreira equalized for Casa Pia six minutes later.
Nico González bagged the match-winner in the 56th minute with in-form striker Mehdi Taremi providing the assist. They are level on points with fourth-placed Braga in the league table and will need to avoid dropping points in the remaining games to ensure the UEFA Europa League group-stage berth.
The visitors are on a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions, recording four wins on the trot. They extended their winning run in the Primeira Liga to eight wins last week, as a first-half strike from Pedro Gonçalves and a brace from Viktor Gyökeres helped them register a 3-0 home win over Vitoria Guimaraes.
Porto vs Sporting Lisbon Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have squared off 247 times in all competitions thus far. The hosts have the upper hand in these meetings with 91 wins. The visitors are not far behind with 84 wins while 72 games have ended in draws.
- Sporting have just one win in their last nine meetings against the hosts, with the triumph coming at home in the reverse fixture in December.
- Porto have suffered just one loss in their last 16 home games in all competitions, with that loss coming against Vitoria in the Primeira Liga earlier this season.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last nine away games in the league, recording eight wins.
- The hosts have the joint-best defensive record in the league this season, conceding 24 goals in 30 games. The visitors, on the other hand, have the best attacking record, scoring 87 goals.
Porto vs Sporting Lisbon Prediction
Dragões have won just one of their last four league outings while suffering two losses in that period. They are winless in their last two home games in the Primeira Liga, conceding two goals apiece. They are unbeaten in their last six home games in this fixture, recording four wins and keeping four clean sheets.
Top scorer Evanilson returns after a two-game suspension, providing a boost for head coach Sérgio Conceição. Defender João Mário is sidelined with an injury, so Eduardo Gabriel Aquino Cossa is likely to start as the right-back.
Leões are in great form at the moment and have won their last four games while keeping three clean sheets. They have scored at least three goals in six of their last nine league games and will look to continue their goalscoring run here.
Matheus Reis and Antonio Adán are expected to miss this match due to their respective injuries while top-scorer Viktor Gyokeres is a major doubt with a muscle injury.
While Porto have been the better side in this fixture recently, considering the current form of the capital club, we back the visitors to come out on top in this crucial match.
Prediction: Porto 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Porto vs Sporting Lisbon Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Sporting Lisbon to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Pedro Gonçalves to score or assist any time - Yes
