Sporting Lisbon are set to take on Benfica on Sunday, 29 December in a huge match at the top of the Primeira Liga.
In recent weeks, Benfica have dislodged Sporting at the top of the league table but with the gap between the two sides just one point, the Lions have a golden opportunity here to reclaim their place at the summit.
Benfica, on the other hand, will see this as a chance to create a healthy gap between themselves and Sporting.
As part of this week's Primeira Liga betting tips, here is our Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica prediction.
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Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica prediction: Sporting's slide to continue
Key stats
- Sporting Lisbon have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Benfica have won their last two Primeira Liga matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last six meetings between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
Correct score prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Benfica
The Lisbon Derby is likely to produce fireworks especially as Sporting come into the match with a new manager after giving Joao Pereira the boot after just eight matches in charge. Benfica do have the edge though and have found real consistency over the past few months.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts are still the favourites
- HOME: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 8/5 (2.60) – 38.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica odds show that the hosts are still just about the favourites for this one despite their terrible form since the departure of Ruben Amorim. Ladbrokes have given Sporting Lisbon a 40% chance of winning the match on Sunday while Benfica have been given a 38.5% chance of victory.
Check out our betting tips today page for more Primeira Liga predictions this week.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Sporting
Sporting Lisbon have had the better of the Lisbon Derby in recent years and haven't lost any of the last three editions (two wins and one draw). Benfica have only beaten Sporting in one of their last seven meetings with them while their last win at the Estadio Jose Alvalade was back in April 2022.
Portugal Primeira Liga 06/04/24
Sporting
Benfica
Portugal Cup 02/04/24
Benfica
Sporting
Portugal Cup 29/02/24
Sporting
Benfica
Portugal Primeira Liga 12/11/23
Benfica
Sporting
Portugal Primeira Liga 21/05/23
Sporting
Benfica
Sporting Lisbon preview: On to manager number three of the season
Things were going just about as well as they ever had done for Sporting Lisbon earlier in the season. They had won their first eleven matches in the league and were inside the top eight in the Champions League but Amorim's departure has sparked a rapid decline. Can new manager, Rui Borges, get them back on track?
Predicted lineup: Israel (GK), Debast, Diomande, Quaresma, Quenda, Simoes, Hjulmand, Araujo, Trincao, Harder, Gyokeres
Portugal Primeira Liga 12/04/25
W
Santa Clara
0
Sporting
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 07/04/25
D
Braga
1
Sporting
1
Portugal Cup 03/04/25
W
Rio Ave
0
Sporting
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 29/03/25
W
Estrela
0
Sporting
3
Portugal Primeira Liga 15/03/25
W
Famalicao
1
Sporting
3
Benfica preview: Looking like champions
Benfica had a rather indifferent start to the campaign and at one point they were eight points behind Sporting Lisbon. However, unlike their opponents, the Eagles have steadily got better as the season has progressed and now look like the most likely team to go on and win the Primeira Liga title.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Bah, Araujo, Silva, Carrera, Kokcu, Aursnes, Akturkoglu, Di Maria, Amdouni, Pavlidis
Portugal Primeira Liga 13/04/25
D
Arouca
2
Benfica
2
Portugal Cup 09/04/25
W
FC Tirsense
0
Benfica
5
Portugal Primeira Liga 06/04/25
W
FC Porto
1
Benfica
4
Portugal Primeira Liga 02/04/25
W
SC Farense
2
Benfica
3
Portugal Primeira Liga 28/03/25
W
Gil Vicente
0
Benfica
3
Player to watch: Zeki Amdouni
Zeki Amdouni has predominantly been used as super sub by Benfica so far this season but his form is becoming so good that he could push his way into the starting XI on Sunday. The former Burnley man has scored three goals and provided one assist in his last three appearances and a goal contribution against Sporting would be a real statement.