Sporting can enter the fixture with confidence knowing they have won all but one of their home games in the Primeira Liga this season.
However, defeat at Maritimo recently saw them lose even more ground, and a draw in the Lisbon derby versus Benfica at the Estadio da Luz meant that they failed to make it up.
Sergio Conceicao’s side are eight points behind Benfica, but with a game in hand, and there is still time for them to stay close the gap before they face them at the start of April.
Porto are usually resolute at the Jose Alvalade too, as they have only lost twice in the league here since 2010.
Hector Bellerin made his Sporting debut as a late substitute in the win over Rio Ave last weekend.
He was brought in on a free transfer to replace the outgoing Pedro Porro, so will battle for the spot at right wing-back with Ricardo Esgaio.
Ousmane Diomande also made his debut after the teenager arrived from Danish side Midtjylland late in the January window.
This will be an intriguing battle between a side very strong at home against a side who have been unbeatable for months now.
Sporting have struggled to get the upper hand against the other two Portuguese giants this season though, so Porto may just have the edge.
Porto are unbeaten on their travels across competitions since September and have also kept clean sheets in their last six games.
They have a solid record against the capital club in recent games, but a low-scoring draw could ensue.
With home advantage, Sporting CP will have the backing of their supporters. This time around, they’ll be hoping for a more convincing victory over their opponent.
Prioritizing revenge for their Taca de Liga defeat while concentrating on their ultimate objective of title contention, which seems to be hanging by a thread.
