Sporting CP vs Porto – Preview
The Primeira Liga season might only be entering the fourth round but fans will already be treated to the first major showdown of the 2020/21 Portuguese top-flight campaign. On Saturday, Sporting CP will host Porto in a highly-anticipated clash on Saturday, All eyes will be on this fixture as the defending champions look to bounce back from their horrible result right before the international break.
In their most recent league fixture, the Dragons hosted Maritimo but lost 3-2 despite boasting the home advantage. Rodrigo Pinho grabbed a brace against the Portuguese giants, with Nanu scoring the third, while Pepe and Otavio scored the consolation goals for Sergio Conceicao's side. That defeat saw Porto relinquish the number one spot to bitter rivals Benfica, who boast a perfect start to the campaign, and while it is early on in the season, the defending champions will not want to lose further ground on Jorge Jesus' team.
As for Sporting, they are another team with a perfect start to the season. As a result, the Lions are level on points with their opponents despite having played one less game. They registered a lovely 2-0 win over Portimonense right before the break, with Nuno Mendes and Nuno Santos grabbing the two goals.
Benfica will be taking on a Rio Ave side that are yet to win a game. Mário Silva's side have played three games so far and have drawn in every single fixture. As a result, they sit in 13th and boast a better record over only five clubs so far. Bar a disastrous display from the Eagles, Jorge Jesus' men should win this fixture and make it four victories out of four. The fact that Sporting CP and Porto are facing off and that one – or possibly even both – will drop points is an added bonus. All of this makes for an exciting Saturday in the Portuguese top-flight season.
Team news
Sporting CP: The Lisbon giants look to be without Jovane Cabral and Luiz Phellype, who are both doubts for Saturday's showdown. Other than that, Ruben Amorim is tipped to have near-complete squad at his disposal, needing only to figure out the ideal lineup and tactics to beat the reigning champions.
Porto: The Dragons have a few concerns for this fixture. First of all, they could be without two goalkeepers as Mouhamed Mbaye is injured while Agustin Marchesin is a doubt. Ivan Marcano is also sidelined. Additionally, Alex Telles and Danilo have both left the club, sealing deadline-day moves to Man United and Bayern respectively.
Key stats
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These two sides have crossed paths 42 times, with Porto boasting the superior record, winning 18 of them.
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It should be noted that Sporting aren't far behind in number of wins, triumphing 15 times against the Dragons while drawing nine.
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The Lisbon giants are undefeated in their last nine home matches in the Primeira Liga and have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven home games.
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The Dragons are undefeated in 29 of their last 32 away games in the Primeira Liga.
Where to watch Sporting CP vs Porto live on October 17, 2020
Sporting CP vs Porto kick off at 12:30 PT/15:30 ET/19:30 GMT/21:30 CST
USA: GOLTV, GolTV Espanol, Fanatiz USA
Portugal: Sport TV LIVE, Sport TV1
UK: LiveScore App, FreeSports TV UK
Live elsewhere? Here's where to watch Sporting CP vs Porto live from your current location:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
And here is where you can watch Rio Ave vs Benfica, a game that will have a great bearing on the previous fixture, live from your current location
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
