Dragões welcome Sporting

Following the mid-week draw against Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League, Porto welcome Sporting to Estádio do Dragão in a massive Liga clash.

For Sporting this is not only a chance to pull them within a point of the Azuis e brancos but equally rebound from a dreadful 5-0 drubbing by Bayern München on Wednesday. That result does not go unnoticed and if anything is likely to motivate them even greater to respond with a top-shelf performance. Paulo Bento is without Montenegrin international Simon Vukčević, Hélder Postiga, Rui Patrício and Miguel Veloso.

Jesualdo Ferreira has called upon Andrés Madrid for his first Liga match with both Tricolorii capped Cristian Săpunaru and Jorge Fucile both out with injuries. Prior to the match Hulk noted his respect for Sporting:

"I don’t believe in a fragile Sporting, they’re a good side and I’m sure it will be a great match.

"I don’t think we’re in advantage for this match just because Sporting was defeated in the Champions League. We also are somehow frustrated with the result of the Madrid’s game and, in addition, the classical matches never have favourites. I just hope our fans come to the stadium to support us."