This Saturday evening, we’ve a Portuguese League Cup Final between two Portuguese giants as Porto face Sporting in Braga!
Porto right now are arguably the hottest team in Football in general as they’re unbeaten in 22 games winning 20, yes TWENTY of those games!
Porto have so far had pretty much a flawless season. Leaders in the Portuguese league, won their UCL group, made the Final in the league and are still involved in the other Portuguese cup.
Portugal are a very strong team all around, from their attack to their defence they have a very solid side and can beat teams in many ways. In the league they average over 2 goals and conceded under a goal which proves how dominant they are.
Porto have quite a few danger man that can turn a game around. Strike partnership of Marega and Soares have got 24 goals combined this season across all competitions and they’re the players to watch from this team.
On their way to the Final, Porto won the group that involved Chaves, Varzim and Belenenses picking up 7 points and edging Chaves on goals scored to make the Semi Final. In the Semi Final they thumped Benfica 3-1.
Sporting have had quite an up and down season meanwhile. Sometimes they look like world beaters, the others they don’t even look like they’re a good team and that’s mainly due to their inconsistency away from home.
At home Sporting have pretty much beat everyone, but on the road they struggled massively. Now this will be a neutral setting so it may help a little.
Sporting are currently 4th in their League and are 8 points off Porto at the top.
Overall, Sporting are still in every competition they’re involved in. Still in Europa League, still in the other Portuguese Cup and are involved in the Final here so everything is definitely not bad for them.
Sporting just like Porto have a very strong attack, their main players like Bruno Fernandes, Bas Dost and Nani are all going to be key for them. These 3 have a combined 36 goals for Sporting (Fernandes – 13, Nani – 8 and Dost – 14). Fernandes is probably the most in form out of the three right now having scored 6 in his last 9 apps.
On their way to the Final, Sporting overcame a group that had Estoril, Feirense and Maritimo edging Estoril on goal difference for the top spot with 2 wins 1 loss in 3 games (that loss coming to Estoril). In the Semi Final, they put away what was the hosts of the playoffs Braga beating them on penalties and overcoming their away from home demons.
This season, Porto and Sporting met once and that was 2 weeks ago in the league and in that game defensive part of the game dominated as it ended with a 0-0 draw. Sporting played at Home that game.
Team News
FC Porto: Vincent Aboubakar continues to be out with a long term injury for Porto. Maxi Pereira, Danilo Pereira and Otavio could are all likely to be out aswell for the Portuguese top team.
Sporting: Sporting are going to be without Gaspar and Rodrigo Battaglia, the latter is out for the season. Fredy Montero has returned training but we’ll have to see if he can play prior to kick off when the line-ups are announced.
Betting Stats
*These will be based on the Portuguese top Division since both sides are from it.
Porto are just 13th in total goal overs covered in Portugal at 38.9% (7-11).
Porto are 12th in total 1st half goal overs covered at 44.4% (8-1-9).
Porto average 2.05 bookings per game (37 bookings in 18 games)
Sporting have the tied highest percentage of total goal overs covered at 61.1% (11-1-6).
Sporting are 8th best at total 1st half goal overs covered at 44.4% (8-5-5).
Sporting average a whopping 3.00 bookings per game (54 bookings in 18 games)
KICK OFF – 26th January 2019 – 7:45pm UK Time
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