As the 2023-24 Taca de Portugal final approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between two of Portugal’s football giants, Porto and Sporting Lisbon.
This showdown, set to take place at the Estadio Nacional on May 26, promises a riveting contest with both teams vying for the prestigious trophy.
Match Preview
Porto's Recent Form
Porto enters this final as the two-time defending champions of the Taca de Portugal, having secured the title in both 2022 and 2023.
Despite a somewhat disappointing third-place finish in the Primeira Liga this season, Sergio Conceicao’s men are determined to claim their third consecutive cup victory.
Porto's recent form in the Taca de Portugal is impeccable, winning their last 20 matches in the competition.
Additionally, they ended their Primeira Liga campaign on a high note, collecting 13 points from their final five matches.
Sporting Lisbon's Campaign
Sporting Lisbon, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, enjoyed a triumphant Primeira Liga season, finishing as champions with an impressive 90 points.
The Lions are now looking to achieve their first league and cup double since the 2001-02 season. Sporting Lisbon has also been formidable in the Taca de Portugal, having won the competition 17 times previously.
Their journey to the final included a tense 4-3 aggregate semi-final victory over Benfica, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Team News
Porto
Porto will be without key defensive players Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi, both sidelined with ACL injuries.
The fitness of veteran captain Pepe remains uncertain due to an Achilles issue. If Pepe is unavailable, Ze Pedro is expected to step in alongside Otavio in defence.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting faces challenges in the goalkeeping department, with Antonio Adan and Franco Israel both injured, leaving 19-year-old Diogo Pinto as the likely starter.
However, the rest of the squad is fit, with standout players like Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres ready to make an impact.
Gyokeres, in particular, has been in scintillating form, scoring 43 goals in 49 games this season.
Predicted Lineups
Porto: Costa; Mario, Ze Pedro, Otavio, Wendell; Pepe, Gonzalez, Varela, Galeno; Evanilson, Taremi.
Sporting Lisbon: Pinto; Inacio, Coates, Diomande; Esgaio, Morita, Hjulmand, Santos; Trincao, Gyokeres, Goncalves.
Prediction
In what promises to be a tightly contested final, Sporting Lisbon appears to have a slight edge.
With Gyokeres leading their attack and a solid defensive unit, they are poised to clinch the title.
A single goal could very well decide the match, with Sporting Lisbon predicted to emerge victorious.
Our Prediction: Porto 0-1 Sporting Lisbon
Sporting CP 
Porto 
