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Sporting Lisbon only managed a 4-4 draw against Vitoria Guimaraes recently. With a 3-1 lead, everything initially looked like a dream start to the new year, but then the slump came. The second hald was wilde and Sporting fans would rather forget. At least Francisco Trincao saved the club's honour with his late equaliser. However, this result is a clear setback in the battle for the championship, and now Sporting are under pressure in the League Cup. They need a win against Porto to keep their chance of winning the first title of the season alive. In the domestic Primeira Liga Porto is only one point behind Sporting with one game less. Porto is certainly in good form recently. The Dragons are unbeaten in seven matches and were able to make a confident start with a 2-0 win against Moreirense in the League Cup. In the Europa League they also picked up important points against Midtjylland, so the motivation seems to be right. There are some missing players in the defense like Wendell and Marcano, and in the midfield is missing in Marko Grujic.