Sporting CP are one of Portuguese football’s established powers, founded in 1906 and based at the Estádio José Alvalade. Their squad carried a market value of around £396m, according to Transfermarkt, with 42 players and an average age of 24 – a large, young group with obvious depth.
Their completed campaign was marked by strong scoring numbers at home and away. At the José Alvalade they averaged three goals scored and just 0.6 conceded per match, while their away return of 2.2 goals scored and 0.8 conceded showed they travelled with more than token ambition.
Luis Suárez was the main finisher with 33 goals, supported by Pedro Gonçalves on 14 and Trincão on 11. Sporting closed their recent league run with three wins, including 3-0 against Gil Vicente, 4-1 at Rio Ave and 5-1 against Vitoria SC, after earlier draws with Tondela and AVS and a 2-1 defeat to Benfica.
For Celtic supporters, Sporting are a familiar type of European opponent: technically strong, well-resourced, and dangerous in the final third without being loose at the back. They would merit serious attention in any meeting.
