Third-placed Porto faces a major test in their fading title challenge when they host league leaders Sporting Lisbon at Estádio do Dragão on Friday in Primeira Liga’s gameweek 21.
The Dragons have endured a rough start to 2025, slipping eight points behind Sporting, who are regaining momentum under Rui Borges as they move past the post-Rúben Amorim era.
Porto ended 2024 on a high note with a 4-0 demolition of Boavista, positioning them second in the standings, level on 40 points with Sporting, while Benfica trailed by two points.
However, the new year has been disastrous for the Dragons, who have dropped 10 points from a possible 12, falling to third with 42 points—two behind Benfica and eight adrift of Sporting.
This slump cost Vítor Bruno his job, leading to the appointment of Martín Anselmi in late January. Since taking charge, Anselmi guided Porto to a 1-0 Europa League victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv but had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Rio Ave in his first league outing.
That result marked Porto’s second consecutive Primeira Liga draw, following back-to-back defeats against Nacional (2-0) and Gil Vicente (3-1) to kick off the year.
The Dragons are now at risk of going five straight league matches without a win for the first time this century, matching a four-game winless streak from early 2001.
That year, Porto endured losses to Boavista, Benfica, and Paços de Ferreira, along with a goalless draw against Belenenses.
However, they bounced back with a 3-1 home victory over Campomaiorense, sparking a 14-game unbeaten run that extended into the following season. Fans will be hoping for a similar turnaround on Friday.
Despite their struggles, Porto can draw confidence from their impressive home form, having dropped just two points at the Dragão all season. However, that lone setback—a 1-1 draw against Santa Clara—came in their most recent home match.
Sporting, on the other hand, will be eager to break Porto’s home resilience. The Lisbon club has been steadily improving under Borges, winning four of their last five league fixtures, including a crucial 1-0 triumph over Benfica in December.
They enter Friday’s clash on a three-game league winning streak, having recorded two clean sheets during this run.
Borges has already masterminded a victory over Porto this year, securing a 1-0 League Cup semi-final win in January, adding to Sporting’s 2-0 triumph in August’s league encounter.
The Lions now seek a third consecutive win against their rivals but haven’t won a league match at the Dragão since April 2016. Whether Sporting can finally end that barren run or if Porto reclaims their form remains to be seen.
Kickoff Time: 9:15PM Nigerian Time
Date: Friday, February 07, 2025
Venue: Estádio do Dragão
