Prediction: Sporting Lisbon vs Porto

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

With the Portuguese Super Cup hanging in the balance on Saturday night, Sporting Lisbon and Porto will meet in Aveiro.

Sporting Lisbon

Starting with Sporting Lisbon, embarking on what was a sensational domestic fairytale last season as they got their hands on a 20th Primeira Liga crown, the Lions rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Gaining a fearsome reputation for across Portugal’s elite, Ruben Amorim’s high-flying squad will certainly be relishing a return to action on Saturday night. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a routine 3-0 romp at home against Chaves on May 18th, the former Braga boss remarkably saw his side muster 34 points from their final 12 Primeira Liga showdowns last season. Eventually reclaiming their domestic title thanks to a commanding 10-point buffer, Sporting will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off back in May.

Team News

Completing a big-money move from Belgium giants Anderlecht this summer, defender Zeno Debast will make his competitive Sporting debut here. Likewise, arriving from Polish outfit Rakow last month, 26-year-old Vladen Kovacevic should start between the sticks.

Remarkably notching 29 goals in his 33 Primeira Liga appearances last season and breezing his way to Portugal’s Golden Boot, the record-breaking Viktor Gyokeres will spearhead Sporting’s charge on Saturday night. Despite speculation over a potential Premier League switch this summer, ex-Tottenham starlet Marcus Edwards will partner Gyokeres in the final third.

Porto

As for Porto, while the Dragons might have eventually been forced to settle for a bronze medal finish among Portugal’s elite last season, they did save their best for the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Crowned Copa de Portugal champions on May 26th following a dramatic 2-1 victory against Sporting, new boss Vitor Bruno will now have all of his attention on mounting a genuine title charge this time around. Holding a sensational record against Saturday’s opponents and losing just one of their previous 11 consecutive meetings, Porto also enjoyed a remarkable pre-season run over the summer. Signing off their summer preparations with a 4-0 romp against Middle Eastern giants Al-Nassr, the Dragons won all of their eight friendly appearances over the past month by an aggregate score of 29-4.

Team News

Making his initial loan switch from Dutch giants Ajax a permanent move this summer, six-cap Portugal international Francisco Conceicao will feature from the start here. Claiming Porto’s Golden Boot last season after notching 13 Primeira Liga goals, 24-year-old Evanilson will play a leading role in the final third.

Leaving the Portuguese heavyweights this summer following the end of his contract, veteran defender Pepe is no longer part of Porto’s squad. One-time Reading youngster Danny Namaso could play some part here after enjoying an impressive pre-season run.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Saturday’s opponents met in the Taca de Portugal final on May 26th, Porto collected a 2-1 victory.
• In fact, Porto have lost just one of their previous 11 meetings against Sporting Lisbon across all competitions.
• The Lions remarkably collected 34 points from their final 12 Primeira Liga appearances last season.
• Porto won all of their eight pre-season appearances this summer by an aggregate score of 29-4
• Three of the last four meetings between Sporting Lisbon and Portugal have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Sporting Lisbon might have made real history last season as they embarked on a sensational domestic fairytale, the Lions will be bracing themselves for a real challenge here. Suffering Taca de Portugal heartbreak back on May 26th as they eventually fell to a dramatic 2-1 loss against Porto, they have remarkably recorded just a single victory from any of their last 11 straight battles. It should be noted, with three of the last four showdowns between Saturday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster