The Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon sets the stage for a crucial Liga Portugal clash this Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Sporting CP (2nd, 51 points) hosts FC Famalicão (8th, 29 points). Kick-off is scheduled for 20:30 UTC.
Sporting arrives with sky-high morale after a dramatic 100th-minute equalizer from Luis Suárez secured a 1–1 draw against league leaders Porto on February 9. That last-gasp point kept the gap at the top to four points, making every match a "must-win" for the Lions to maintain pressure on the summit. Famalicão, meanwhile, recently snapped a slump with a 3–1 victory over AVS, lifting them comfortably into the top half of the table.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Liga Portugal (Round 22) |
| Date | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:30 UTC / 15:30 ET |
| Venue | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon |
| Referee | TBD |
| TV Channel | Sport TV (Portugal) / GolTV (US) |
Sporting CP: The "Late-Goal" Kings
Sporting has developed a reputation for being relentless in the final stages, having scored 15 goals in the last 15 minutes of league matches this season—the most in the division. Despite some significant injury concerns, their attacking depth remains the envy of the league.
Team News and Selection:
Injury Crisis: The medical room is busy. Pedro Gonçalves (Pote) is a major doubt with a muscle injury, while Zeno Debast (knee), Geovany Quenda (metatarsal), and Fotis Ioannidis are all expected to miss out
The "Luis Suárez" Factor: The striker is in sensational form, netting the crucial rebound against Porto to take his tally to 18 goals in all competitions this season.
Midfield Engine: Morten Hjulmand will be the key to neutralizing Famalicão's counter-attacks, though he must play carefully after picking up a yellow card in the "Clássico."
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Rui Silva; Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Morita, Francisco Moura; Trincão, Luis Suárez, Maxi Araújo.
FC Famalicão: The Minho Outsiders
Famalicão, led by Hugo Oliveira, has been a difficult team to break down this season. While they suffered a heavy 5–0 defeat to Gil Vicente earlier this month, their response against AVS showed a resilience that Sporting cannot afford to ignore.
Team News and Selection:
Unavailable: Rafa Soares and Oscar Aranda are sidelined with injuries.
Creative Spark: Young star Gustavo Sá (21) is the creative heart of the team, and his duel with Hjulmand will be a highlight of the match.
Safe Hands: Goalkeeper Lazar Carevic ranks 3rd in the league for saves per match and will likely be the busiest man at the Alvalade.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Carevic; Gustavo Garcia, Ibrahima Ba, De Haas, Bondo; Van de Looi; Gil Dias, Gustavo Sá, Pedro Santos, Sorriso; Simon Elisor.
? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Dominance: Sporting CP has won 9 of the last 10 meetings against Famalicão.
Reverse Fixture: Sporting secured a hard-fought 2–1 win at Famalicão in September 2025.
Defensive Wall: Sporting has kept 10 clean sheets this season, a feat matched remarkably by Famalicão’s defensive efforts earlier in the campaign.
The "Pote" Curse: Former Famalicão man Pedro Gonçalves has 5 career goals against his old club, but his likely absence is a huge relief for the visitors.
Tactical Preview and Prediction
Sporting will look to pin Famalicão back early, using the width of Francisco Moura and Ricardo Esgaio. However, Famalicão is expert at absorbing pressure and utilizing the pace of Sorriso on the break. If Sporting’s makeshift defense (missing Debast) leaves gaps, Famalicão has the quality to cause a shock.
Ultimately, the atmosphere at the Alvalade and Sporting’s desperate need for points in the title race should carry them through.
Final Score Prediction: Sporting CP 3–1 Famalicão
