Islam Slimani after his side's 2-0 win against FC Porto

Islam Slimani stole the show against FC Porto this Saturday night with two goals to move Sporting back to the top of Liga NOS.

Speaking with radio journalists at the final whistle, the big Algerian was keen to point out the influence of Jorge Jesus: "It was an important win for us, because now we are two points clear at the top of the league. It was a hard match, but we did what we had to do to win. We have shown the quality of this team match after match and we believe in the work we are doing. The coach has done a good job and he has brought a lot to the team."

Sporting leading Liga NOS after convincing display against FC Porto

There is no disputing the facts: in four matches this season against either Benfica or FC Porto, Sporting has won all four. Just as impressive as the wins is the goal difference in clashes with the other two members of Portugal's 'Big 3': 8-1 in favour of the team from Alvalade. In the two Liga NOS wins (3-0 in Estádio da Luz and 2-0 against FC Porto in Alvalade), Sporting's opponents had no more than one single chance on goal during both matches.

With Matheus making the first official senior start of his career and Bryan Ruiz playing off Slimani up front, Sporting began on an offensive footing and soon began threatening the visitors' goal. After a series of corners, João Mário put low shot wide of the post, before Bryan Ruiz and Matheus also failed to find the target from range.

On-way traffic towards the FC Porto goal continued and in the 27th minute justice was done to the scores when Slimani rose highest to convert from a Jefferson free-kick deep down the left flank.

Five tminues later Adrien tested Casillas with a stinging effort, before FC Porto had their only chance of the evening after, breaking away against the run of play. However, Rui Patrício wasn't about to be unfairly beaten and the Alvalade shotstopper denied Aboubakar one-on-one of what looked to be a certain goal.

After a more or less balanced spell after the break, Sporting again began to dominate. Dropping back and happily letting FC Porto hold down possession and push their lines higher, Jorge Jesus' charges began to create chances from speedy counter-attacks and penetrating balls over the top. The tactic worked wondered and four minutes after hour mark Slimani looked to have scored his second of the evening after doing everything right and keeping his effort down, but the Algerian's powerful header ended bouncing up onto the crossbar. From the follow up Bryan Ruiz drove a half-volley towards goal that Casillas turned around the post, before Adrien smashed a low drive against the woodwork from range.

Despite holding down possession, FC Porto were simply unable to create anything going forward and Sporting's second goal was hardly a surprise, when Slimani hooked on to a good pass from Bryan Ruiz to send Alvalade into delirium and move Sporting back to the top of Liga NOS.

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts ahead of Saturday's FC Porto showdown

Jorge Jesus is expecting a balanced evening of football when his side hosts FC Porto this Saturday, with the Liga NOS top spot up for grabs.

“The stadium selling out is normal right now for how we are playing and for this kind of match. The fans and the players have been sharing a lot of emotion this season and you need that at a club like Sporting. The fans will show again tomorrow what they can do", opened the Sporting coach in his habitual pre-match press conference.

“FC Porto are a great side with quality players, but Sporting are a quality side as well and it will be like it usually is when we take on a big side. What I want is for our quality to make the difference against FC Porto", added Jesus, continuing: "I don't know what the coach on the other side is thinking, but I have to try and guess. I don't think them being in first now will change much for how FC Porto will organise in attack or defence, because it is a team with a fixed style that you can't just change."

Asked to comment on previous episodes between the two Portuguese giants, as well as his previous run-ins with the FC Porto coach, Jesus preferred to focus on the football: "The most important thing in the match is the players and the collective and individual quality of both sides. The match is here and now and I will acknowledge my colleague like I would any other. I wouldn't say that the fans add more pressure, because the season has its ups and downs anyway and the players are always under that kind of pressure. You can't really say that there is a favorite, because such a thing only exists when there is a big difference between."

Responding on a question on FC Porto's current occupation of 1st place in Liga NOS and how is influences his side, Jesus went on: “In practice it is a little bit harder for the team in second, because when you are in front the team behind you has to make up ground. The team chasing first place is Sporting. We said for several weeks that we wanted to defend first place and now we want to chase it down again. We started this season with a lot of emotion and belief that it would be a better season than the last one. We know you can't just turn up and wins come naturally, but the fact is that we have won a trophy and we are fighting to be top of the league."

Sporting-FC Porto will kick off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Hugo Miguel named for Liga NOS matchday 15

Hugo Miguel, 38, from the Lisbon Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 15 between Sporting and FC Porto.

Hernâni Fernandes and Bruno Trindade will act as linesmen.

This season Hugo Miguel has already officiated over Sporting's win over Rio Ave on Liga NOS matchday 4.

Sporting-FC Porto will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday the 2nd of January, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Sales to begin on the 26th of December

Due to high demand for tickets for Sporting-FC Porto, to be played on the 2nd of January, Sporting Clube de Portugal will make available non-renewed Special Seats at 10h00 on the 26th of December.

All holders of a Special Seat for this season will receive an SMS/email if updated contact details are available, through which tickets can be purchased up until the 25th of December through the official Sporting website or at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices until the 23rd of December (10h00 to 20h00). The ticket offices will be closed on the 24th and 25th of December.

Liga NOS matchday 15 at 20h45 on the 2nd of January

Sporting will host FC Porto, on Liga NOS matchday 15, at 20h45 on Saturday the 2nd of January, in Estádio José Alvalade.

The coming fixtures are as follows:

- 5th of December (Saturday, 20h45): Marítimo-Sporting, Liga NOS matchday 12

- 10th of December (Thursday, 20h05): Sporting-Besiktas, Liga NOS matchday 6

- 13th of December (Sunday, 18h15): Sporting-Moreirense, Liga NOS matchday 13

- TBC: Sp. Braga-Sporting, Portuguese Cup last-16

- 20th of December (Sunday, 18h15): U. Madeira-Sporting, Liga NOS matchday 14

- TBC: Sporting-P. Ferreira, League Cup matchday 1

Matches against Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto

Tickets for Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto will go on sale this week as follows:

Sporting – Besiktas

STAND A
Central – 25€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

Sporting - Moreirense

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 20€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 12€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5 for Members

Sporting - FC Porto

STAND A
Central – 35€ for Members and 60€ for fans
Lateral – 30€ for Members and 50€ for fans
Goal End – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 25€ for Members and 45€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

SALES POINTS