FC Porto - Sporting CP predictions and free betting tips [26/05/2024]

Today marks the final showdown of the Portuguese Cup between fierce rivals: Porto and Sporting.

Porto

Porto concluded a disappointing season in the Portuguese league, finishing in third place with 72 points from 34 matches. The team's form showed improvement towards the end as the "Dragons" ended the campaign with three consecutive victories, defeating Chaves (3-0), Boavista (2-1), and Braga (1-0). This streak allowed Porto to secure a top-three finish and a spot in European competitions, despite an 8-point gap from the second-place team. In the Champions League, Porto also delivered commendable results, advancing from the group stage but falling short against Arsenal in the Round of 16. Nevertheless, their strong performance in the Primeira Liga and accomplishments on the European stage somewhat made up for their shortcomings in domestic competitions. The bronze finish for Porto, however, is still considered a setback. In the Portuguese Cup semifinals, the "Dragons" faced Vitória Guimarães, once again proving their strength by winning the first leg 1-0 and then securing a 3-1 victory in the second leg. This success allowed Porto to continue their quest for the Portuguese Cup, presenting them with an opportunity to salvage their season with a win in one of the country's most prestigious trophies.

Sporting

Rúben Amorim's Sporting displayed outstanding performance in the current Primeira Liga season, topping the table with 90 points from 34 matches. The team secured 29 victories, which placed them 10 points ahead of their closest competitor. The "Lions" showcased remarkable attacking prowess, scoring 96 goals, making it the best tally in the league. In their final league fixtures, the Portuguese club demonstrated consistency and strength by defeating Portimonense (3-0), Estoril (1-0), and Chaves (3-0). In the Portuguese Cup, Sporting also underscored their ambitions by overcoming Benfica in the semifinals. The first leg ended with a 2-1 win for the "Lions", while the second match resulted in a 2-2 draw, enabling Sporting to advance further. The team now stands on the brink of securing a golden double, looking forward to the final clash with Porto. 

Having finished the national championship with impressive stats and surpassed the semifinal hurdle in the cup tournament, Sporting is poised to establish themselves as leaders in Portuguese football. With a solid defence that conceded only 27 goals in the league and an effective attack, the Lisboans are setting their sights on the upcoming final, where they aim to cap off their successful season with a Portuguese Cup triumph.

Head-to-Head 

In the last 5 head-to-head fixtures, Sporting has achieved just 1 win against 3 losses. Their most recent encounter on 28 April 2024 ended in a 2-2 draw. On 18 December 2023, Sporting triumphed with a 2-0 win. On 12 February 2023, Porto defeated Sporting 2-1, and in the Portuguese Cup final on 28 January 2023, Porto also emerged victorious with a 2-0 score. Another clash on 20 August 2022 resulted in a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Porto.

Prediction for the Porto vs Sporting match

Amorim's team has demonstrated how to excel in Portuguese football to become one of the leaders. Sporting performed well in the Champions League and confidently clinched gold in the Primeira, while Conceição’s Porto failed on all fronts this season. I am backing the visitors with a (0) handicap in the Portuguese Cup final.