Preview: Porto vs Sporting Lisbon – prediction, team news, lineups
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F04%2Ffotojet-2026-04-20t184951-919-69e667a78a100560239967.jpg "Preview: Porto vs Sporting Lisbon – prediction, team news, lineups")
Wednesday’s Classico sees Porto aiming to overturn a one-purpose deficit as they welcome Sporting Lisbon to Estadio do Dragao for the second leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-ultimate tie.
The Dragons suffered a 1-0 defeat on March 3when each side met for the primary leg at Estadio Jose Alvalade, establishing an intriguing contest as the 2 groups battle for a spot within the ultimate in opposition to both Torreense or Fafe.
Match preview
Porto have dominated the Taca de Portugal lately, reaching 5 of the earlier seven finals and lifting the trophy on 4 of these events, though the 20-time winners suffered a fourth-spherical exit to Moreirense final time period.
Eager to make amends for that disappointment, the Dragons have already seen off Celoricense (4-0), Sintrense (3-0) and Famalicao (4-1) this season, whereas additionally edging previous Benfica within the quarter-finals.
However, development past the semi-ultimate would require Porto to erase the deficit from that defeat at Jose Alvalade, which accounts for one in all simply two setbacks within the Blue and Whites’ final 15 matches throughout all competitions (W9, D4).
The different setback got here on the City Ground final Thursday, when Farioli’s brief-handed facet had been beaten by Nottingham Forestbringing an finish to their Europa League marketing campaign following a draw within the opening leg on the Dragao.
After successive stalemates at residence, Porto returned to successful methods on Sunday, as second-half strikes from Gabri Veiga and Victor Froholdt secured a 2-0 victory over Tondela to maneuver seven factors clear atop the Primeira Liga standings.
That end result additionally marked the Dragons’ twentieth win in 25 residence matches (D4, L1) throughout all competitions this season, and Porto will hope that file proves decisive on Wednesday as they chase a primary league and Taca de Portugal double since 2021-22.
© Imago / Brazil Photo Press
Having achieved that feat themselves final time period, Sporting now face a more durable path to repeating it after seeing their hole to the league summit widen following a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Benfica in Sunday’s Lisbon Derby.
In an encounter the place Luis Suarez was denied the chance to place the Lions in entrance from the spot, Andreas Schjelderup transformed from 12 yards on the different finish to present their metropolis rivals the lead, and though Hidemasa Morita did restore parity within the 72nd minute, Rafa Silva’s stoppage-time strike dealt the Primeira Liga holders a big blow.
That end result means Sporting have managed only one win throughout their final 4 matches in all competitions (D1, L2), a run that additionally noticed them exit the Champions League to Arsenal within the quarter-finals after failing to overturn a primary-leg deficit, with their goalless draw on the Emirates proving inadequate.
However, holding the benefit on this semi-ultimate tie with Porto provides the Lions a clearer path to development, notably given they’re unbeaten on an opponent’s floor throughout 29 home fixtures (W20, D9).
That sequence features a 1-1 draw of their most up-to-date go to to the Dragao, extending Sporting’s unbeaten run on the venue to a few matches (D3), though their final Taca de Portugal journey there led to defeat, one thing Borges and his facet will intention to keep away from as they chase a nineteenth Portuguese Cup crown.
Porto Taca from Portugal type:
Porto type (all competitions):
Sporting Lisbon Taca de Portugal type:
Sporting Lisbon type (all competitions):
Team News
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Ffotojet-2025-12-02t110600-464-692ec04836fe3877327194.jpg)
© Imago / ZUMA Press Wire
Sunday’s victory over Tondela got here at a value for Porto, as Zaidu Sanusi was pressured off within the second half and is now a serious doubt for this encounter.
If Sanusi is dominated out, Jakub Kiwior might deputize at left-again, whereas Thiago Silva and Jan Bednarek ought to pair up at centre-again, with Alberto Costa retaining his place on the correct given Martim Fernandes stays unavailable.
Attacking duo Samu Aghehowa and Luuk de Jong are sidelined for the rest of the season, whereas lengthy-time period absentee Nehuen Perez continues his restoration from an Achilles tendon challenge.
Veiga could also be restored to the lineup after making an instantaneous impression off the bench final trip, scoring inside minutes of his introduction, whereas Pablo Rosario and Seko Fofana are additionally pushing for begins in midfield.
As for Sporting, forwards Fotis Ioannidis (knee) and Luis Guilherme (muscle), together with left-again Nuno Santos, are all dominated out, whereas proper-again Ivan Fresneda might miss a 3rd straight match with a muscle downside.
Joao Simoes is the newest addition to the therapy room, with the 19-yr-previous midfielder set to overlook the rest of the marketing campaign as a consequence of a foot damage that will require surgical procedure.
Suarez transformed the decisive penalty within the first leg however was unable to take action in opposition to Benfica on the weekend, and the Colombian striker can be keen to reply as he leads the road on Wednesday.
Porto potential beginning lineup:
D Costa; A Costa, Bednarek, T Silva, Kiwior; Froholdt, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Gul, Sainz
Sporting Lisbon potential beginning lineup:
Silva; Vagiannidis, Diamonde, Inacio, Araujo; Hjulmand, Morita; Catamo, Trincao, Pote; Suarez
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F33%2Fsm-words-green-background.png)
We say: Porto 1-1 Sporting Lisbon (Sporting win 2-1 mixture)
Â
Wednesday’s conflict marks the ultimate match in a demanding three-sport run for Sporting, who can be eager to keep away from one other irritating final result after their draw at Arsenal and defeat to Benfica.
The Lions have drawn their final three visits to the Dragao, and though Porto returned to successful methods in opposition to Tondela of their most up-to-date residence outing, earlier stalemates on the venue recommend they might discover it tough to completely assert their benefit in opposition to resolute opposition.
For information evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.
