Sporting CP, the reigning Portuguese champions, face newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland AFC in a pre-season friendly on July 21, 2025, at Estádio do Algarve. This match marks Sporting’s second pre-season outing after a 2-0 loss to Celtic, while Sunderland continue their preparations following a 4-0 win over South Shields and a 1-1 draw against Sevilla.

 

 

Recent Form and Stats

Sporting CP

Sporting won 25 of 34 Primeira Liga matches, securing the title and Taça de Portugal. They lost 2-0 to Celtic in their first friendly. Key stats include:

  • Scored 88 goals in 34 matches (2.59 per game), conceding 27 (0.79 per game)
  • Top scorers: Viktor Gyökeres (43 goals), Francisco Trincão (9 goals), Pedro Gonçalves (11 goals)

 

 Sunderland AFC

Sunderland finished 4th in the Championship, earning Premier League promotion via a 2-1 play-off final win over Sheffield United. Key stats include:

  •  Scored 61 goals in 46 matches (1.32 per game), conceding 52 (1.13 per game)
  •  Top scorers: Wilson Isidor (12 goals), Jack Clarke (10 goals)

 

 

Build-Up

Sporting CP are reeling from a 2-0 loss to Celtic, exposing cracks without Viktor Gyökeres, who is nearing a £55.6m move to Arsenal. Sunderland, fresh off promotion, are two weeks into pre-season, showing promise with a 4-0 rout of South Shields and a gritty 1-1 draw against Sevilla.

 

 Predicted Lineups

 Sporting CP (3-4-3)

  •  Goalkeeper: Francisco Silva
  •  Defenders: Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma
  •  Midfielders: Geny Catamo, Zeno Debast, Morten Hjulmand, Márcio Araújo
  •  Forwards: Francisco Trincão, Conrad Harder, Pedro Gonçalves

 

 Sunderland AFC (4-3-3)

  • Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson
  • Defenders: Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien, Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin
  • Midfielders: Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg
  • Forwards: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Simon Adingra

 

Coach Pre-Conference Insights

Rui Borges (Sporting CP)

Borges stressed rebuilding without Gyökeres: “Celtic showed us areas to improve. Sunderland are a strong, newly promoted side, and we’ll use this to test new combinations.”

 

 Régis Le Bris (Sunderland AFC)

Le Bris emphasized defensive structure: “We showed promise against Sevilla, but conceding late was a lesson. Sporting are champions, so we’ll focus on organization and counters.”

 

Predictions

  •  Score Prediction: Sporting CP 2-1 Sunderland
  •  Alternative Prediction: Draw 1-1
  •  Betting Tips: Both Teams to Score – Yes, Under 2.5 Goals, Francisco Trincão to Score or Assist, Simon Adingra to Score Anytime

 

 Why This Match Matters

This friendly is a critical test for Sporting CP as they adapt without Gyökeres and prepare for high-stakes competitions. For Sunderland, it’s a chance to measure their Premier League readiness against a European champion. The match promises to be an entertaining clash, with both teams showcasing their attacking intent.