Bragging rights will be at stake as Sporting Lisbon and Sunderland lock horns at Jose Alvalade Stadium in a friendly match on Monday, 21 July 2025.
View our free Sporting Lisbon vs Sunderland predictions below.
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Sporting Lisbon vs Sunderland predictions: A low-scoring affair
Key stats
- Fewer than three goals were scored in each of Sporting Lisbon's last five matches across all competitions.
- Eight of Sporting's last nine games featured less than 11 corners.
- Sporting Lisbon and Sunderland will meet for the first time in over 51 years.
Correct score prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Sunderland
Sunderland have lined up a few friendlies in order to get some momentum going ahead of their Premier League opener next month, the most recent being a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Saturday.
Interestingly, three of Sporting Lisbon's last five games ended 1-1 after regulation time.
This being a friendly, both teams will likely not overexert themselves for the win. On that note, we believe that this match will end in a stalemate.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sporting CP are clear favourites
- HOME: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ahead of this clash, Sporting are the expected winners at 17/20 (1.85). Teams with these odds generally have a 54.1% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Sporting Lisbon vs Sunderland predictions.
We have also pointed out that Sporting Lisbon's last five games went below the 2.5-goal line. On that note, under 2.5 total goals has an appealing look at 9/10 (1.90). That one has a 52.6% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting in over five decades
Sporting Lisbon and Sunderland met twice in the second round of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in October and November 1973, with each team winning once.
While Sunderland have a 1-1-1 win-draw-loss record in three previous clashes with Portuguese sides, Sporting Lisbon have an 11-12-15 record in 38 encounters with English opponents.
Sporting Lisbon preview: Trincao to lead the charge?
Sporting kicked off their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 defeat to Celtic in their first friendly game. With Sunderland and Villarreal next in line before their Portuguese Super Cup clash with rivals Benfica on 31 July, the Lions will look to pick up wins in their remaining two preparatory matches, as it will help them arrive for their first competitive game of the season in good shape.
The transfer drama surrounding forward Viktor Gyokeres now appears to be reaching the finish line as the Swede edges closer to completing a move to Arsenal. His departure, though, is set to create a huge void for Sporting in terms of a proper replacement, having scored 97 goals in 102 appearances since his arrival in 2023.
The Lions strengthened their squad with the permanent signings of Alisson Santos, Rui Silva and Giorgi Kochorashvili earlier this month.
Predicted lineup: Silva (GK), Fresneda, St. Juste, Quaresma, Reis, Simoes, Hjulmand, Trincao, Goncalves, Catamo & Harder.
Portugal Primeira Liga 10/05/25
D
Benfica
1
Sporting
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 04/05/25
W
Gil Vicente
1
Sporting
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 27/04/25
W
Boavista
0
Sporting
5
Portugal Cup 22/04/25
W
Rio Ave
1
Sporting
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 18/04/25
W
Moreirense
1
Sporting
3
Sunderland preview: Looking to extend their five-game unbeaten run
Back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, Sunderland are leaving no stone unturned with a lot of practice games lined up before their opening league clash against West Ham.
The Black Cats began preparations with a 4-0 crushing defeat of South Shields in their first friendly, before a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Saturday. They will take on Sporting, Hull City, Real Betis, Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano in other pre-season friendlies.
A considerable number of players switched to the Stadium of Light this summer, including Simon Adingra, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra and Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee and Diarra made their debut against South Shields, while Adingra, Mandava and Sadiki could make theirs against Sporting Lisbon on Monday.
Talbi remains sidelined with an injury picked during his time at Club Brugge. Aji Alese has a broken leg, while youngster Chris Rigg is also unavailable due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Patterson (GK), Jones, Ballard, Seelt, Huggins, Tuterov, Browne, Mundle, Diarra, Le Fee, Isidor.
England Championship 13/05/25
L
Coventry
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 09/05/25
W
Coventry
1
Sunderland
2
England Championship 03/05/25
L
QPR
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
2
Sunderland
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Sunderland
0
Player to watch: Enzo Le Fee
After an impressive loan spell with the Black Cats last season, Sunderland signed Enzo Le Fee from AS Roma for £20 million earlier this month. The French midfielder opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw at Sevilla last weekend and will fancy his chances against Sporting Lisbon.