Sporting – FC Porto Prediction & Picks (18.04.2018)

Sporting Lisbon and Porto meet at Estádio José Alvalade, in a return match of this phase of the Taça de Portugal (Semi-finals), after in the first leg Porto won at home (1-0). The history of direct confrontations played in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 6 matches won 3 and drew 3. But the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium, on 01-10-2017 , for the Primeira Liga, the two teams tied by (0-0). Attention to the home factor, since the Sporting Lisbon usually conquer different results at home and abroad.

Sporting :

The home team comes to this second leg with a disadvantage of 1 goal, in addition to the disadvantage of not having scored goals as a visitor in the first leg. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 13 wins and 2 draws in his stadium. In the last match they played, for the Primeira Liga, they beat Belenenses away by (3-4). In the last 10 home matches Sporting Lisbon has 9 wins and 1 draw. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In 15 matches, they have conceded the first goal 7 times, but have come back in 3. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 20 home matches for all competitions: they have suffered 7 of their 8 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘ ).

Sporting Lisbon comes to this game with a win over Belenenses, 3-4, adding the third successive win in several competitions, one of them being the mighty Atlético de Madrid. We remember that the locals have to win this game against the rival FC Porto to reach the final of the Portuguese Cup. In this game in his stadium coach Jorge Jesus must play in the usual 4-4-1-1, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks. However, in some moments of the game the team must act in a more direct way, since FC Porto presents quality in counterattack. The Dutch Bas Dost is the best score for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions, with 32 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Rafael Leon, Piccini, William Carvalho, Bruno Cesar and Podence, all due to injury.

Porto:

The away team comes to this second leg with an advantage of 1 goal, but suffered 0 goals at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in away matches, with 27 goals scored and 11 conceded; against 13 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss at their stadium, with 38 goals scored and 14 conceded. The team comes to this match after a win away with Benfica by (0-1). In the last 10 games played away for all competitions, Porto won 5, drew 2 and lost 3.

In this competition, he won the last 5 matches he played. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 5 matches for this competition. In 15 matches, they suffered the first goal 4 times and only managed 1 comeback. In the last 18 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 6 of their 15 goals between minutes (31’-45 ‘).

The FC Porto arrives motivated to this game, after a great victory on the rival Benfica, by 0-1, therefore, adding the according success followed in the Portuguese championship. It should be noted that FC Porto are ahead in this semi-final of the Portuguese Cup, having beaten Sporting 1-0 in the first leg. In this away game, coach Sérgio Conceição must continue betting on the usual tactical system, that is, in 4-2-3-1, with Tiquinho Soares being the most advanced player on the team. The striker Aboubakar is the great highlight of the visitors, with 26 goals scored in all competitions. For this game the coach still can not count on the injured Danilo Pereira.