Sporting Lisbon v FC Porto

Sporting Lisbon vs Porto Preview

Liga Portugal leaders, Sporting Lisbon will no doubt be eager to return to the more familiar home surroundings of their Estádio José Alvalade for Monday night's top-of-the-table clash against second placed Porto following a 3-2 defeat away from home at Vitoria Guimaraes last weekend while Porto jumped into second spot after recording a third league win on the trot by virtue of a 3-1 home win against Casa Pia last time out.

Despite last week's loss which became a second defeat on the trot away from home for Sporting Lisbon, the hosts still remain in top spot in the Liga Portugal table although they now sit level on 31 points apiece with their upcoming visitors, Porto, prior to this vital encounter.

An earlier defeat away from home at Benfica have dented Sporting Lisbon's record away from home but there's no such concerns for results on home soil as Lisbon possess an excellent 100% winning record at their Estádio José Alvalade, winning all seven home games on the trot.

Indeed, the bigger picture paints an excellent outlook for Sporting Lisbon who have suffered just the single defeat within their previous 22 home games along with picking up no fewer than 19 wins in the process, although their one defeat was to Monday's visitors, Porto, in a 2-1 loss back in February of last season.

A third win on the trot in the Portuguese top flight helped Porto move up into second place in the Liga Portugal standings and only goal difference now separates the visitors from Sporting Lisbon ahead of this important encounter at the Estádio José Alvalade on Monday night.

Victories collected against Vitoria Guimaraes, Famalicao and Casa Pia will no doubt give Sergio Conceicao's side a welcome boost ahead of this top table clash and although Porto have lost twice so far in this season's Liga Portugal campaign with losses incurred against Benfica and Estoril, the visitors have also captured a total of 10 wins within their 13 league matches played so far this term.

The bigger picture shows Porto have lost just these two matches within their previous 25 games overall in the domestic top flight and having picked up 21 wins during this period, the visitors look a serious threat to Sporting Lisbon's fragile grip on the top spot in the division.

Sporting Lisbon v Porto Verdict

Despite Sporting Lisbon and Porto sitting on 31 points apiece prior to this upcoming clash on Monday night with only goal difference separating the two clubs, it's been Porto who have held the upper hand in previous exchanges as the visitors have won each of the last five encounters against their hosts and further success looks fairly likely for Porto in this clash as well.

This fixture may be settled by just one goal though.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Porto win @ 3.30

Correct Score: Porto 1-0 @ 10.00