Sporting will host FC Porto on Sunday in a pivotal early-season match between two of Portugal’s top football clubs, with Sporting’s coach Edo Bosch expected to be absent following the death of his father.
The “clásico” is the highlight of the seventh round of the national championship.
Sporting currently holds third place in the league standings with 13 points.
FC Porto trails its rival, sitting in fifth position with 10 points. The outcome could significantly impact the league’s early standings.
Coach Bosch’s likely absence from the Sporting bench adds an emotional layer to the high-stakes encounter.
This contest marks the second time the Lisbon-based Sporting and Porto have faced each other this season.
Sporting previously secured a Super Cup victory over Porto in overtime in a match played in Odivelas.
The current league leader is Benfica. Benfica will complete the sixth round of matches on the 26th, when it hosts Juventude Pacense.