The showpiece event of the weekend’s action kicks off on Sunday afternoon as Rúben Amorim’s Sporting host Sérgio Conceição’s Porto at the Estádio José Alvalade. It was just two weeks ago that Porto defeated Sporting 2-0 in the Taça da Liga Final – since then, Sporting have sold star right back Pedro Porro to Tottenham Hotspur and followed that up with a 5-0 thrashing of Braga.

The following match, however, served up an anemic and uninspiring performance from Sporting, who failed to register a single shot on target until the 84th minute, when Youssef Chermiti fired home to lead them to a 1-0 victory over Rio Ave. Sporting currently find themselves in fourth place, five points away from Braga, seven away from Porto and 15 away from Benfica. They are no longer in the title race, but the race for third place and Champions League football.

Porto, meanwhile, would follow that up with a 2-0 win against Marítimo, a 2-0 win against Vizela, and a 1-0 win against Viseu to book their ticket to the Taça de Portugal semifinals. Whilst Sporting will be taking on FC Midtjylland in the Europa League midweek, Porto will have 10 days to prepare for their Champions League fixture against Inter.

They have conceded just twice since the start of December – a 5-1 win against Arouca and a 4-1 win against Famalicão – and they will be looking to continue their stellar run of form in Lisbon. Porto have won four straight matches against Sporting for the first time in 45 years and kept three straight clean sheets against the Lions as well (in all competitions). The last time they lost to Sporting in the league was August 28, 2016, and I don’t see that changing on Sunday.

In contrast to Porto, who did not complete any outgoings or incomings in the January window, Sporting have lost arguably their best player in Pedro Porro. Amorim’s system simply does not function the same way without him in the line-up, and as much as it pains Sportinguistas, things could easily get worse before they get better. Expect Porto to come away with at least a point as they attempt to make up ground on Benfica in the title race.

After each losing last time out, both Zulte-Waregem and Ostend are in the bottom-3, and in danger of becoming cut off at the bottom of the table.

The hosts have more to worry about, with the second leg of the Croky Cup semi-finals coming up soon, but they still cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in the league. Coach Leye rested key players such as Vossen, Vormer and Fadera to face second-place Union, admittedly not a game they would have much hope of getting a result – but a 4-0 defeat was not ideal for goal difference purposes. It may help them reach a cup final but adds extra pressure in the league.

Ostend meanwhile were beaten by Anderlecht, and a better result was possible, but their slow play limited their chances. There is no lack of commitment amongst the players, more so a lack of quality that has caused them to lose points throughout the season. They only have 25 goals this season, and it is only Seraing that have scored fewer goals.

Zulte-Waregem are certainly favourites in this game. They have made a significant investment in the squad during the January window, and that should be the difference in games like this. The pressure will be immense however, especially after losing the first leg of the semi-final having rested players before and after the tie.

Ostend have speed on the counter-attack, but they lack a real finisher. Waregem have quality up front that the visitors simply cannot compete with and taking them to win looks like excellent value.

Sunday’s action draws to a close in Madeira as Artur Jorge’s Braga take on Marítimo. After a dismal start to the campaign, Marítimo’s form improved under the arrival of José Gomes – their third manager of the season – with the Leões do Almirante Reis drawing 1-1 to Rio Ave before opening 2023 with a shock 1-0 win against Sporting and a 3-0 loss to Vizela.

They bounced back with a 1-0 win against Estoril Praia before losing 2-0 to Porto and 2-1 to Chaves, and they currently find themselves two points behind Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot as well as four above last-placed Paços de Ferreira.

Whilst Marítimo are suffering the worst start to a campaign in their uninterrupted 38-year spell in the top-flight, Braga are having one of their best. After closing out the year with a 3-0 victory against Benfica – the first and only defeat for Benfica this season in all competitions – Braga thrashed Santa Clara 4-0 and edged Boavista 1-0 and Paços de Ferreira 2-1 before losing 5-0 to Sporting.

They bounced back in impressive fashion, beating Famalicão 4-1 via a brace from January arrival and substitute Bruma, before drawing 1-1 to Benfica and eliminating them on penalties to advance to the Taça de Portugal semifinals.

Apart from the defeat to Sporting, Braga have dropped points away from home on just one occasion this season – a 4-1 loss to Porto on September 30. They have scored 43 goals in 19 matches and are looking to return to the Champions League after 11 years.

Whilst they have lost a key player in Vitinha, they have reinforced in the January window with the signings of Pizzi, Bruma and Joe Mendes, and between Simon Banza, Ricardo Horta, Iuri Medeiros and Abel Ruíz, they have more than enough firepower to cause some problems for a Marítimo side that has conceded 35 goals in 19 games thus far. Having beaten Marítimo 5-0 in August, I’m backing Braga to come away with three points in Funchal.