Raul José guarantees a strong Sporting CP for the weekend's trip to Braga

Standing in for Jorge Jesus in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, Raul José promised "a strong Sporting CP", in tribute to the Alvalade coach following the death of his father this week.

"Whenever you lose a loved one it is always painful, but Jorge will be back with the same dedication and passion and the players are with him to get the win on Sunday", opened the Sporting CP assistant coach, adding: "Winning is always the priority for Sporting CP. We are with Jorge (Jesus) and we will go to Braga to get the win with the support of the fans."

As for the weekend's opposition and Sporting CP's chances of still finishing 2nd in Liga NOS, Raul José commented: ""Sp. Braga have some great players and are always strong at home. They have shown against the big teams that they are a solid team, who are difficult to play against. We will have to be at our best to win. We are focused on winning our games and at the end we will see where we finish."

Ticket news for Liga NOS matchday 31 and 32

Sporting Clube de Portugal has announced ticketing information for the coming Liga NOS fixtures (ticket offices open from 10h to 20h).

Matchday 31
Match: Sp. Braga vs Sporting CP
Date: 30th of April (Sunday) at 18h
Location: Braga Municipal Stadium
Price: 20€
Sales: Thursday and Friday in Alvalade

Matchday 32
Match: Sporting CP vs CF Os Belenenses
Date: 7th of May (Sunday) at 11h45
Location: Estádio José Alvalade
Prices from: 5€ (Member) or 13€ (fan)
SALES ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE

The match against CF Os Belenenses will be dedicated to Sporting CP's ladies, with various special offers:

Ladies ticket + exclusive scarf: club member 7€ or fan 13€

- promotion only valid at Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices
- ticker available for any sector of the stadium (subject to availability)
- Scarf offer subject to availability

Anti-crisis tickets (from 5€ and exclusively for club members) and family tickets (21€ for 3 people, one of whom must be a club member with fees paid up to date) are also available.

Jorge Jesus highlights his side's dominance going forward in the Lisbon derby

Sporting CP was not happy with the split points in the Lisbon derby on Saturday night, after what he saw as a dominant display from his side.

"Matches aren't defined by possession. They are defined by opportunities and we were better in that regard. We had two good chances though Bas Dost, who is still having a tough time from long range. We didn't win because we didn't take the two or three chances you have in these games. I am happy with how the lads played, but now with the result. One team went for the win and the other one didn't create chances. I wouldn't say that one team was better though", said Jesus.

Speaking about SL Benfica's approach to the encounter and his introduction of Jefferson and Paulo Oliveira in defence, the Alvalade boss affirmed: "Benfica didn't have chances on goal. In the second-half we were not as good in defence,bur we tried to hit on the counter-attack where we could. Benfica ended up scoring from a well-taken free-kick. Jefferson has a bit more pace than Bruno César, which is why I picked him to deal with Salvio's movement. On the other hand, I made the right choice with Paulo Oliveira. Rúben Semedo is carrying a bit of a physical problem and Paulo gave us the security we needed."

Points split in the Lisbon derby

The Lisbon derby ended in a 1-1 draw this Saturday, on an evening which saw an absolutely tremendous display of support from a capacity Estádio José Alvalade.

Pushed on by the crowd, Jorge Jesus' charges absolutely burst out the blocks at the starting whistle and hd the ball in the back of the net after just give minutes, when Adrien kept his cool from the penalty spot after Ederson had fouled Bas Dost. referee Artur Soares instantly blew for the spot kick and the Alvalade captain didn't disappoint. Incredibly, it was actually the first time that SL Benfica had conceded from a penalty since the 1st of April 2016. The numbers speak for themselves.

The visitors looked nervous and Sporting CP continued to press, but Rui Vitória's side held out on the explosive start to the encounter soon boiled over. Sporting CP led by the narrowest of margins at the break, but Jorge Jesus' side came out firing on all cylinders for the second-half and Bas Dost came close to doubling the lead on two occasions (48') and (54').

Unable to open up a more secure lead, SL Benfica were always in with a chance of getting back into it and Lindelof equalised six minutes after the hour mark. Jesus responded with the introduction of Daniel Podence, but the scoreboard remained unaltered until the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus looking for quality from Saturday's Lisbon derby

Jorge Jesus was in the Alvalade press room this Friday for a much awaited meeting with journalists ahead of the weekend's Lisbon derby.

This will be the 300th meeting between the two giants from the Portuguese capital and Jesus did not play down the occasion, despite the title race being largely out of Sporting CP's hands: "Winning won't save anything, because this club lives on titles. We are on the road to recovery, after the brilliant season we had [in 2015/2016]. We are not fighting for the title right now, but we are building a structure that can fight against our rivals. The result won't have a direct impact on the league standings, but we still want to play some good football and get the win. This fixture is always a passionate one, it is completely different from every other match. A Sporting CP-SL Benfica is always a brilliant spectacle and we want to be the best team out there."

The Alvalade coach touched on the absence of Marvin Zeegelaar, but left his actual squad list to matchday to announce: "Based on various factors, I wouldn't say that we have to change a lot of things to surprise Benfica. I know a lot about every team and we know about the characteristics of the players. I think coaches are a lot more important during the match than before it. Jefferson, Esgaio and Bruno César all have a chance of coming in and what I do not want to do is limit us in attack. I am not worried in terms of who is better in defence."

Sporting CP will host SL Benfica in Alvalade on Saturday, at 20h30.

Alvalade completely sold out for the Lisbon derby

Estádio José Alvalade will host the Lisbon derby this weekend, with a sold out crowd guaranteed to add to the occasion.

Considering that the match is considered as high risk, Sporting CP has issued the following recommendations:

. gates will open at 18h30 (two hours before kick-off)
. we recommend that fans enter as earlier as possible in order to avoid excessive waiting times
. it is advisable to use public transport to reach the stadium
. children under the age of three are prohibited 
. all fans must have a valid ticket
. Sporting CP members mus have March 2017 fees paid up to date

Sporting CP fans entering through Gate 1 (NOS) can use alternatives, particularly when this area is controlled by the police on arrival of the visiting supporters. Fans with tickets for A1/A3/A5 and B1/B3/B5 can use Gate 4 and fans with tickets for A13/A15 and B15/B17 can use Gate 2.

Gelson Martins, William Carvalho and Bas Dost secure three points in Setúbal

Vitória de Setúbal have held their own against Portugal's big boys so far this season, having held out against SL Benfica and FC Porto. This time the challenge came in the form of a inspired Sporting CP and Jorge Jesus' side didn't disappoint, with Gelson Martins, William Carvalho and Bas Dost all finding the back of the net in a 3-0 win to secure a fifth straight win with the Lisbon derby just around the corner.

Despite the expressive final result, the team from Alvalade were made to work hard in the opening stages, with Sétubal looking to shower the pressure particularly on Marvin down the flank. The full back held firm, but was unable to avoid a yellow card (31') that will keep him out of next week's hosting of Benfica.

The opening exchanges out the way, Sporting CP began to take control. First to shake the hosts was Bruno César with a cross into the hard of the area, which was somehow scrambled away after a moment of hesitation from Fábio Cardoso. The warning shot had been fired and Gelson Martins went one better in the 20th minute, opening the scoring with his 10th consecutive goal in as many matches. Three minutes later Sporting CP's number 77 was brought crashing down in the area, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals. The rest of the half continued with Gelson and Bruno César leading the attacking aspirations down the wings, but the scoreboard remained locked at 1-0 come the half-time break.

While Setúbal would have been expected to come out swinging for the second-half, it was actually Jorge Jesus' side who pushed up the pitch. The Alvalade boss had obviously had words at the break and a more dynamic looking midfield had the hosts struggling. It was William Carvalho who struck his side's second, although it was actually from a corner, with the Portuguese international heading in from a Bruno César corner.

Six minutes later Alan Ruiz decided it was time to attract the limelight, with a superbly skillful pass that Bas Dost converted with what was his 28th goal in 26 outings. Amazing figures for the Dutchman, who alone has scored more goals than half of the teams in the top flight: Boavista (27), V. Setúbal (27), Paços de Ferreira (26), Arouca (26), Feirense (25), Estoril (25), Moreirense (24), Belenenses (22), Nacional (19) and Tondela (19).

Jorge Jesus and Adrien Silva on Friday's win in Setúbal and next week's Lisbon derby

"Vitória de Setúbal are a good side who play quality football. Their coach likes to see good football and Couceiro (V. Setúbal coach) has been very positive for the club", affirmed Jorge Jesus in a flash interview at the final whistle on Friday night.

Speaking in greater depth about the evening's action, the Sporting CP coach highlighted Setúbal's form against Portugal's top side: "When you face on of the big clubs you need to a certain kind of strategy. They hadn't lost against one of the big clubs before night. We played really well and in additional to some really effective attacking play we were strong at the back. Only a really strong Sporting CP team could win 3-0 here. We were smart and I thought we managed the occasion well, so the lads deserve a pat on the back."

The Lisbon derby is up next and Jesus was inevitably asked to share his thoughts: "We want to beat Benfica, just like we wanted to beat Vitória de Setúbal tonight. It is a derby and is the focus of a lot of passion across the whole country. We are feeling good right now and it will be a great match to match. It won't decide the title, but we always go for the win and it is even better when it is against one of our rivals."

Adrien Silva returned to the starting line-up against Setúbal, but the Alvalade skipper preferred to praise his colleagues for filling in during his absence through injury, rather than focus on himself: "I am finding my confidence and form from before my injury. I want to congratulate the squad for how they have plated recently. They really showed professionalism and personality. Benfica is just another match that we want to win, but it is a derby and we can't hide from that."

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Friday's visit to Vitória de Setúbal

Up next for Jorge Jesus' side is a visit to Setúbal on Liga NOS matchday 29 and the Alvalade boss was keen to alert the opposition's capabilities in defence in his pre-match press conference this Friday.

"As we are all aware, our opponent has claimed some good results in matches against the bigger sides. That is a sign of a team that defends well and that interrupts play a lot. Those two characteristics are really important. Sétubal have a lot of self-belief, but we are in great form right now and I think it will be a good game tactically and technically", opened Jesus, adding a word on the return of Adrien and Gelson Martins to match fitness: "Adrien played half an hour against Boavista and we are giving him time on the pitch based on what we think he needs. He will definitely be in the squad and will be better than he was against Boavista. Our medical department has said Gelson should be ready and he wil be included in the squad as well."

With Sétubal having already stolen points from SL Benfica and FC Porto so far this season, every caution must be taken. "Of course the top three are always under pressure to win and history brings with it responsibility", said Jesus, continuing with an analysis of his side's current form: "It is nice to be able to say that we have won seven of our last eight games and drawn one. We have another six games to go, but of course we won't be anywhere near the amount of points we finished with last season. I will never forget that we managed to get 86 points in one season and still didn't win the title."

To finish Jorge Jesus commented on Alan Ruiz's adaptation to the Portuguese game and his partnership with Bas Dost: "Every player needs time to adapt, especially when you move club and country at the same time. Alan Ruiz is still a young lad (22) and not a lot of people were giving him the credit he deserves. He was playing for Colón, who aren't exactly a massive side. We noticed his quality and invested in him. It is just a matter of time with him, because the quality is there. I think Ruiz and Dost are the best pair in Portuguese Football."

43,000 tickets already sold for Liga NOS matchday 30 Lisbon derby

Sporting CP informs that 43,000 tickets have already been sold for the Lisbon derby, on Liga NOS matchday 30. The remaining 7,000 tickets will be put on sale for club members, with each member able to purchase up to two tickets (ticket officers open from 10h to 20h):

CENTRAL – STAND A | Club Member (€45) or guest (€70)

CENTRAL – STAND B | Club Member (€40) or guest (€60)

Children under the age of three are not permitted for this high risk match and all spectators must have a valid ticket.