FC Porto v Sporting CP

FC Porto v Sporting CP

Monday February 9th, 2026

Matchday 21

Estadio do Dragão 

The warm up 

At the time of writing it would be fair to suggest that this season is going rather well for FC Porto. Ahead of their fixture away to strugglers Casa Pia tomorrow tonight they’ve dropped a grand total of 2 points of the 57 on offer after 19 rounds of the league, that coming in their 0-0 bore draw against Benfica. Otherwise everyone else has been conquered once including of course Sporting and in the case of Vitória and Gil Vicente, twice over already. Only a fool would suggest that the title was heading anywhere but north come May. Yet then again only a fool would have suggested that the Eredivisie title was heading anywhere but Amsterdam last season and for once the fools had their day. PSV Eindhoven were crowned title winners by virtue of a solitary point as Ajax first lost to Utrecht 4-0 away, drew 1-1 with Sparta Rotterdam at home, lost 3-0 to NEC Nijmegen at home and drew 2-2 away to FC Groningen. The 9 point lead they had over PSV going into the end of the month of April had vanished and by the 2-2 draw had turned into a one point deficit. We all know the old adage that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but the mister Francesco Farioli, formerly of Ajax Amsterdam and latterly of FC Porto has moved countries and lightning as we know will strike wherever it jolly well pleases. Yet still, only a fool …

A win for the lions in this fixture would give them hope at this stage, narrow the gap, put pressure on the dragons but by no means is it a title decider in the month of February. However a home win in the Clássico and Porto can probably at least begin to think about putting the champagne on ice. Farioli might suggest they wait a lot longer until the fat lady has at least warmed her voice up. 

A recap of where Porto had been before the two sides met on Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 season. They had begun with a 3-0 win over Vitoria, a 2-0 win away to Gil Vicente and a 4-0 home win over Casa Pia. Goals for 9, goals against 0. The signs were looking positive for the dragons despite a lack of a proper pre-season and having played in the Club World Cup Finals in the US.

Second half goals from de Jong and Gomes had given the visitors a 2-0 lead at the José Alvalade and a Pérez own goal whilst giving the lions hope, still wasn't enough as Porto consigned Rui Borges to his one and only league defeat as the mister of Sporting. Porto's goal had finally been breached, but still it was by their own player and no opposition player was yet to find the back of the net. The dragons maintaining their 100% start to the campaign and already the signs were looking ominous for the Lisboa sides of Portugals mythical Os Três Grandes.

Porto's campaign following on -

Matchday 5 – Nacional (H) An Aghehowa penalty on the half hour mark enough to secure all 3 points in a 1-0 win. XG 2.18 to 0.09. Porto missed 2 of their 3 big chances whilst the islanders, unsurprisingly given their XG had failed to create a single one. 

Matchday 6 – Rio Ave (A)

Rosario put the visitors ahead with just 3 minutes gone. Aghehowa had made it 2 after 12 minutes and a 3rd from Veiga early in the second half sealed a 3-0 win. XG 0.23 to 2.03. Porto missed 4 of 6 big chances, the home side failing to create a single one.

Europa League Round 1 – RB Salzburg (A) A Gomes goal would finally unlock the Austrians resistance to give Porto a winning start to their European campaign. XG 1.36 to 1.23, the hosts missed two big chances and Porto failed to convert their solitary one. 

Matchday 7 – Arouca (A) Porto had far less difficulty back on Portuguese soil as Aghehowa opened the scoring. Further goals from Güi, Moura and Sanusi secured their biggest win to date with a comfortable 4-0 win. XG 0.67 to 2.97. No big chances for the home side, Porto scoring from 3 of their 4. 

Europa League Round 2 – FK Crvena Zvezda (H) The Serbians cancelled out an early Gomes penalty just after the half hour mark. The two sides looked to be about to walk away with a point apiece before Mora had other ideas and scored the winner 2 minutes from time. XG 2.65 to 0.53. Some woeful finishing from both sides on the night, The visitors missed all 3 of their big chances and Porto 3 of 5.

Matchday 8 – Benfica (H) By all accounts for those unfortunate enough to have watched, a dire 0-0 draw ensued as both misters demonstrated an overly pragmatic approach and probably a forewarning of what Sporting could face against Porto on Monday week where a point would suit Porto equally as well as all 3. XG 0.68 to 0.12. Farioli quite happy to park the Porto bus. They missed 1 big chance, the eagles with their wings clipped creating 0. 

Taça de Portugal Round 3 – Celoricense (A) Porto took advantage of lower league opposition to run up a 4-0 win. Bednarek with the opener and Aghehowa with a hat-trick booking their place in Round 4.

Europa League Round 3 – Nottingham Forest (A) Two former European Cup winners met and the struggling Premier League side already onto their third coach of their season converted both their big chances in a 2-0 win and condemned athe dragons to their first loss in all competitions. XG 2.09 to 0.60, Porto failing to create a single big chance for the first time this campaign in the matches where that data is recorded. 

Matchday 9 – Moreirense (A) Alan became the first opposition player to score against Porto with 17 minutes gone. This the dragons first test coming nine games in. They equalised three minutes into added on time at the end of the first half from an Aghehowa penalty as the sides went in level at 1-1. Güi breaking Moreirense hearts 3 minutes before full time to snatch all 3 points. XG 0.27 to 1.87. No big chances for the home side, Porto converted both of theirs. 

Matchday 10 – Sporting Braga (H) Another big test of their title credentials came and was passed. Mora opened the scoring in the 44th minute. Porto uncharacteristically conceded for their 3rd straight game as Gomez equalised 5 minutes after the restart. Sainz secured all 3 points 12 minutes from time to leave the scoreline 2-1. XG 0.93 to 0.91. Porto scored their only big chance, Braga one of their 2. The biggest takeaway apart from the scoreline, the passes completed - 218 to 597 as Porto more than happy at the Dragão to concede possession of the ball. 

Europa League Round 4 – FC Utrecht (A) Echoes of his Dutch disaster left ringing in the ears of Farioli as his side fell behind soon after the start of the second half and his once seemingly impregnable defence now had leaked in four straight games. The boys running out of fingers to stick in the dyke. Sainz converted their sole big chance to make it 1-1 which is how it finished. XG 0.54 to 1.22. Utrecht missed 1 of their 2 big chances and you imagine the Italian mister couldn't wait to get out of the Nederland's once more. 

Matchday 11 - Famalicão (A) After their exertions in Europe, a narrow 1-0 win enough for all 3 points from a first half goal from Froholdt. XG 0.27 to 1.27. Porto wasted 3 of 4 big chances where the home side created none. 

Taça de Portugal Round 4 – Sintrense (H) The draw for the cup kind once more for Porto ahead of their next European tie against lower league opposition. Goals from Sainz, Güi and Mora secured a comfortable 3-0 win and their place in Round 5.

Europa League Round 5 – Nice (H) Seconds on the clock when Veiga scored the first of his two goals before the halftime interval. An Aghehowa penalty added the gloss on a 3-0 win. XG 1.47 to 0.95. The Ligue 1 side missed their sole big chance, Porto took advantage of both of theirs. 

Matchday 12 – Estoril (H) A Gomes goal after 7 minutes enough for all 3 points in a 1-0 victory. XG 1.35 to 1.05. Estoril missed their only big chance, Porto 2 of 3. 

Taça da Liga Quarter Final – Vitória SC (H) Despite opening the scoring for the second successive game in the 7th minute, this time through Veiga, the side from Guimarães became the first to inflict a domestic defeat in all competitions as goals from Oliveira, Samu and Camara secured a shock 3-1 win and a place in the semi finals. No recollection of what they did in that game mind. XG 1.20 to 2.23. Porto with 4 chances to every 1 by the visitors. Porto missed 1 of 2 big chances. Vitória importantly despite only having 5 attempts, scored all 3 of their big chances. 

Matchday 13 – Tondela (A) It took the league leaders until after half time to find the opener against one of the two newly promoted sides in the summer. Aghehowa opened the scoring 2 minutes into the second half and Tondela capitulated when Gomes made it 2-0 inside a minute. XG 0.48 to 1.94, Porto scored both their big chances, Tondela having failed to create a single one.

Europa League Round 6 – Malmö FF (H) A brace from Aghehowa gave Porto a 2-0 lead at half time. A Moura own goal came too late to change the result deep in additional time at the end of the 90. XG 2.81 to 0.81. Porto missed 5 of their 7 big chances, the visitors both of theirs. 

Matchday 14 – Estrela (H) Aghehowa opened the scoring from a penalty after 16 minutes to give Porto a 1-0 lead at half time. Just before the hour mark Estrela levelled however it only took the home side the best part of 2 minutes to regain the lead with a goal from Moura and a Sidny Cabral own goal secured all 3 points in a 3-1 win. XG 2.95 to 0.21, Porto scored both their big chances whereas the visitors created 0. Whilst maybe only a moral victory, Estrela could at least claim to have scored only the 4th goal the league leaders had conceded all campaign. 

Taca de Portugal Round 5 – Famalicão (H) A 5th minute Gomes goal gave Porto the lead, De Haas equalised 7 minutes later to give the visitors hope. Froholdt made it 2-1 before goals in the last 10 minutes from Aghehowa and Pepe put the tie out of reach as Porto booked their place in the quarter finals with a comfortable 4-1 win.

Matchday 15 – Alverca (A) Three points secured against the second of the two promoted sides. A brace from Sainz and a goal from Varela secured a 3-0 away win. XG 0.78 to 1.16. Alverca missed their 1 big chance, Porto scored both of theirs.

Matchday 16 – AVS (H) Top versus bottom and yet the home side only managed to record a 2-0 win. Aghehowa with a brace, the second coming from the penalty spot. XG 2.58 to 0.23, Porto missed 2 of 4 big chances, AVS failed to create a single one.

Matchday 17 – Santa Clara (A) Aghehowa with the only goal of the game in the 49th minute, XG 0.26 to 1.08. Porto missed their only big chance whereas the islanders failed to create a single one over the course of the 90.

Taça de Portugal Quarter Final – Benfica (H) Porto booked a place in the semi-finals to face either Sporting or AVS with a 1-0 win. Jan Bednarek with the game's only goal coming after 14 minutes. Each side missed their 1 solitary big chance. XG 0.76 to 1.65. 

Matchday 18 – Vitória (A) A Varela penalty 6 minutes from time gave the league leaders all 3 points in a 1-0 win. Aghehowa missed a 26th minute penalty and the home side were reduced to ten men when Telmo Arcanjo was shown his marching orders 8 minutes into additional time at the end of the 90 though it would have no additional bearing on the result by that late stage in proceedings. XG 1.35 to 2.31, VSC missed both their big chances, Porto 2 of 3. Revenge served for their defeat in the Taça da Liga.

Europa League Round 7 - Viktoria Plzen (A) The home side went ahead after just 5 minutes. Reduced to ten men just before half time, Porto were left to rue a missed penalty from Aghehowa as they went in trailing 1-0 at the break. They claimed a point when Gül scored in the 89th minute. XG 0.34 to 2.14. The home side failed to create a single chance, Porto missed 4 of 4.

Matchday 19 – Gil Vicente (H) An Aghehowa penalty gives Porto a 1-0 lead at half time. Goals from Fernandes and Gomes completed a 3-0 win after the break. XG 2.25 to 0.59. Both sides missed 2 big chances, however Porto created an additional two which were both converted.

Europa League Round 8 – Glasgow Rangers (H) Despite falling behind to another 5th minute goal as they'd done in the previous round, Porto responded first with a strike from the highly rated youngster Mora and by half time had turned around to lead 3-1 with goals from Moura and an own goal which was how the match finished. The 3 points were enough for a 5th place finish and qualification for the knockout stages. XG 1.60 to 0.43. Porto scored both their big chances, Rangers scored with their 1.  

Porto's record in first place reads played 19, won 18, drawn 1, GF 40 GA 4. Their record at the Dragão played 9, won 8, drawn 1, GF 19, GA 2. Of those 40 scored 24 have been from open play, 10 from set pieces and 6 penalties. They're outperforming their XG of 35.7. Top scorer Samuel Aghehowa with 13, Sainz and Gomes with 5 apiece. 12 other scorers making up the remaining 17 goals. 

Martim Fernandes the only player to have seen red to date. They average 2.7 goals per game and have the league's best defensive record conceding on average 0.2 goals per game and have kept 15 clean sheets. They average 5.6 shots on target per match and have missed 27 big chances. Beneficiaries of 7 penalties awarded in the league and several more besides in all competitions as the game breakdowns above allude to. They're outperforming their XG conceded by some distance in addition to their offensive number which stands at 10.3. Saves per match the lowest in the division at 1.7 with an overall total of 33 made. 43 bookings to go with the 1 red, the third lowest total in the league.

Porto will go into the fixture with an additional 3 days rest with the lions playing Thursday night at home to AVS in the Taça de Portugal. Rui Borges you imagine will risk playing a second string XI against the top flights bottom side and hope to get the job done without the need for sending on the big guns, an additional time winner or indeed without extra time being required as it was already in that competition against both Paços de Ferreira and Santa Clara and again in the Taça da Liga against Vitória. 

Let's not kid ourselves here we've gotten away with it in four straight games with late winners. Yet Bayer Leverkusen in their title winning run did the same time and time again. At some point we have to be good enough to put games to bed and finally Rui Borges is close to a full squad for the first time since he took charge in December of 2024. We've had another appalling run of misfortune this campaign injury wise and maybe, just maybe we'll have a run of better fortune in the that department. 

There's a chance by the time we kick off in the Clássico that we're two Brazilians lighter and you have to hope that doesn't come back to haunt us come May if Alisson leaves for Napoli and Reis to CSKA Moscow. I for one will miss both greatly and you'd think I'd learn at my age not to get emotionally attached to players, especially in Portugal where no one stays for long, but as always I’ll never learn. 

When it comes to Porto I'm wary of the dark arts. Under Vítor Bruno to his credit I thought they'd moved away from that but I'm still haunted by some of the past Clássico’s where Sporting haven't been savvy enough. Problem is when they step off you see goals like the one scored by Pavlidis in the Dérbi where they all backed off for fear he'd take a tumble. Yet when they do go in their players throw themselves to the floor under the slightest touch and con the match officials. It's a balancing act knowing your opponents now, despite will do anything in their power to gain an advantage. We saw it tonight with Nacional. The keeper goes down for treatment and I'm pretty sure the referee told him to get up but what can he do in that situation? The guy that shoves Suárez off the ball and then clutches his own calf like Cantona had come from over the hoardings and studded him. The guy who goes down holding his chest in the box claiming Morita has struck him. Why can't VAR intervene and book players for simulation in those instances? Utterly ridiculous. Hopefully Sporting punch them in the mouth like they did in the Supertaça when they raced into a 3-0 lead. Offense the better choice over defence so many times but we so rarely see it in either the Dérbi or the Clássico. The one criticism of Borges is his team's sit back in these games and try defend a lead like a game of shit or bust. They need to win the game simple as. Conceding 4 times in 19 counts for nothing when the first whistle blows. 

If we can kick one of their wheels off, maybe Benfica kick another and Braga another. To go unbeaten an entire season, one where you've had no pre-season, played a summer tournament, is it realistically going to happen? I don't think so. Sporting need to keep in touching distance and like the lions they are, be ready to pounce. 

Incoming transfers 

Since the two sides last met they strengthened their squad with the following signings;

Summer Window 

Pedro Lima from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan 

Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal for £1.7m

Yann Karamoh from Torino for free

Winter window 

Thiago Silva free agent. Joins the over 40s club with José Fonte baby and Nene.

Oscar Pietuszewski from Jagiellonia Bialystok for £8.3m.

Someone is officially having a fucking laugh with me I swear. Is that one real? 

Terem Moffi on loan from Nice 

Monday update - Casa Pia doing the unthinkable and beating the league leaders 2-1 at home after Sporting cut Porto's lead at the top to just 4 points and a win next Monday would leave them just a point behind. XG 0.97 to 2.02. Attempts on goal 6 to 15. Casa Pia taking one of their 2 big chances, Porto missed 3 of their 4. Larrazabal opened the scoring on 11 minutes, Thiago Silva scored an own goal on the stroke of half time. Porto scored straight after the restart but unable to find an equaliser. William Gomes was shown a straight red for an appalling challenge in the 75th minute that left a boot in the face of the Casa Pia defender and had his name been Matheus Reis it would have been a minimum five game ban so we'll see what punishment is muted out to him by the disciplinary commission. 

Suddenly though it appears we may have a title race on our hands once more. I was reading through last February's match reports earlier tonight and took comfort for the fact we had a shockingly bad month this time last year and thought it could happen to Porto. Then I remembered we rallied and won the title and thought of cock, so could they. Still an exciting end to the day. 

In the markets 

FC Porto 13/10

Draw 11/5

Sporting CP 2/1