When FC Porto meet Sporting CP, there is usually something major on the line in Portugal. Both teams are regularly competing at the top of the Primeira Liga and for the Taça de Portugal.
A game between the Dragões and Leões often has an impact on the eventual winners of a competition in Portugal and that is why it has become such a big rivalry. Along with Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting CP are regarded as the biggest clubs in Portuguese football.
The first meeting between FC Porto and Sporting CP can be traced back to 1922. The game was played in the Campeonato de Portugal, which was the early version of the Taça de Portugal.
The match was played in June and FC Porto won the game 2-1. The overall outcome of the 1922 Campeonato de Portugal was decided on a best of three game series and with Sporting CP winning the second match 2-0, the series when to a deciding match which was won 3-1 after extra time by FC Porto.
Both teams went on to taste great success in the Campeonato de Portugal and they each won the tournament 4 times.
Moving to the current cup competitions in Portugal and in terms of the Taça de Portugal, FC Porto have the slight advantage, winning the cup 18 times, while Sporting CP have 17 cup wins to their name.
However, in the more recent addition to the Portuguese football calendar, the Taça da Liga. Sporting CP have a clear advantage, winning the competition 4 times compared to one for FC Porto.
The Primeira Liga is the focus for both FC Porto and Sporting CP. This is the top league in Portuguese football and FC Porto have won the title 30 times, with Sporting CP some way behind on 19 titles.
So, there is a clear difference between the success of the two teams when it comes to winning the Portuguese title and FC Porto are well ahead in that department.
Prior to the meeting between FC Porto and Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga on the 12th of February, there have been 177 meetings between the teams in the league. FC Porto have won 69 of those matches, with Sporting CP recording 59 wins.
There have been plenty of draws, with the fixture ending level 49 times. Interestingly, despite winning fewer matches, Sporting CP have scored the most goals in the league rivalry, netting 250 times in comparison to the 248 goals scored by FC Porto.
Recent meeting in the Primeira Liga shows it has been difficult to find a winner and we have seen 4 draws in their last 5 league matches. Statistics show both teams enjoy scoring against each other and ahead of their meeting on the 12th of February, both teams have scored in 9 of their last 14 meetings in the league.
Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, many players have played for both FC Porto and Sporting CP. Pedro Mendes, Maniche, João Moutinho, Hélder Postiga, Ricardo Quaresma, Nuno Valente, Mário Jardel, Edmílson, and Paulo Future being among them.