The Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon sets the stage today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, for a David vs. Goliath encounter in Liga Portugal. Sporting CP welcomes Nacional for a Matchday 20 clash that carries significant title-race implications. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 GMT.
Sporting CP (2nd, 48 points) is locked in a fierce battle with Porto for the top spot, currently trailing the leaders by seven points (with Porto playing tomorrow). Nacional (11th, 20 points) arrives in Lisbon five points clear of the relegation playoff zone, hoping to disrupt the capital's order.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Liga Portugal (Matchday 20) |
| Date | Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 18:00 GMT / 13:00 ET |
| Venue | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon |
| Referee | Ricardo Baixinho |
| TV Channel | Sport TV 1 (PT) / GolTV (US) |
Sporting CP: Maintaining the Pressure
Under the leadership of Rui Borges, who replaced João Pereira in December 2024, Sporting has maintained its reputation as the league's most lethal attacking force. The "Lions" have notched a league-high 52 goals this season. They arrive following a hard-fought 2–1 win at Arouca, where summer signing Luis Suárez proved the hero with a late winner.
Team News and Selection:
Top Scorer: Luis Suárez is the man to watch, leading the league's scoring charts with 17 goals
Suspensions/Injuries: The hosts are without Matheus Reis due to suspension, while Fotis Ioannidis and Geovany Quenda are sidelined with injuries.
Midfield Engine: Morten Hjulmand continues to be the heartbeat of the side, fresh from a dominant performance in January.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Fresneda, Inácio, Debast, Araújo; Hjulmand, Simões; Catamo, Trincão, Luis Guilherme; Luis Suárez.
Nacional: Seeking an Alvalade Miracle
Managed by Tiago Margarido, Nacional is enjoying a solid return to the top flight. They come into this match on a high after a 4–0 demolition of Rio Ave last weekend. While their away form has been patchy, their technical discipline makes them a difficult side to break down early.
Team News and Selection:
Loan Star: Gabriel Veron, on loan from Porto, will be eager to do his parent club a favor by taking points off their title rivals.
Goal Threat: Jesús Ramírez has been clinical this term, leading the visitors with 13 goals in all competitions.
Absentees: Filipe Soares, Ulisses, and Ivanildo Fernandes are all ruled out.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kaique; Núñez, Santos, Zé Vitor, Gomes; Joel Silva, Matheus Dias, Liziero; Veron, Ramírez, Paulinho Bóia
? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Historical Dominance: Sporting has won 18 of the last 26 meetings between these two sides.
Clean Sheet Trend: Sporting has kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 5 home league games against Nacional.
Attack vs. Defense: Sporting averages 2.7 goals per game at home, while Nacional has conceded in 85% of their away fixtures this season.
Earlier This Season: Sporting cruised to a 4–1 victory in the reverse fixture back in Augus
Tactical Analysis and Prediction
Rui Borges will likely deploy a high-pressing 4-2-3-1, relying on the creative movement of Francisco Trincão and Luis Guilherme to open gaps for Suárez. Nacional will likely adopt a "suffer and strike" approach, sitting deep in a 4-3-3 and looking to use Gabriel Veron's pace on the transition.While Nacional's recent 4–0 win suggests they have found their scoring boots, the sheer quality and home advantage of Sporting should be the deciding factor.
Final Score Prediction: Sporting CP 3–0 Nacional
