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Second meets third in this weekend’s Derby de Lisboa as Sporting Lisbon welcome Benfica to Estadio Jose Alvalade in a crucial encounter that could have a major say in the title race.
Only two points separate the sides, with the Lions sitting above their city rivals, despite holding a game in hand and trailing league leaders Porto by five points, with the Dragons having also played a match more.
Sporting enter this encounter following their Champions League exit in midweek, while Benfica had a full week of rest, with the Primeira Liga their sole focus.
In addition to our Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica prediction below, check out the rest of today's betting tips.
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Sporting vs Benfica key stats
- Luis Suarez has found the net in five of his last six home league appearances for Sporting.
- There have been goals at both ends in 13 of the last 16 H2H meetings between the sides.
- Benfica are unbeaten in 44 league matches (W31, D11), a run stretching from matchday 19 of the previous campaign.
- Sporting are unbeaten in their last 24 outings in the Primeira Liga (W19, D5).
Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica preview: Lisbon rivals face off in title-shaping showdown
| Sporting Lisbon | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Position | 3rd |
| 71 | Points | 69 |
| 73 | Goals For | 61 |
| 17 | Goals Against | 18 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 2nd |
| 2nd | Away Rank | 3rd |
Sporting enter this encounter on the back of a goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates, which confirmed their exit from the Champions League quarter-finals, having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Lisbon.
Rui Borges’ side now has only two competitions left to target, and there will be one eye on their Taca de Portugal semi-final second leg at Porto next week.
However, the immediate task is to secure maximum points this weekend in a bid to build momentum and apply pressure on league leaders Porto, with the Lions chasing a fourth consecutive Primeira Liga victory.
Borges’ men secured a hard-fought 1-0 win at Estrela Amadora in their most recent top-flight outing, meaning the defending champions have not scored more than once across their last three matches in all competitions.
However, there is no denying Sporting’s attacking firepower, with the Lions boasting the division’s most potent attack, having scored a league-high 73 goals.
Second in that regard, Benfica have scored 61 goals in the Primeira Liga this season, suggesting there could be attacking intent even if the contest remains tight given the derby stakes.
That said, the Eagles remain the only side yet to suffer defeat this season, a run extended by last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Nacional.
However, Sunday’s encounter presents a sterner test for Benfica, who are winless in each of their last four visits to Jose Alvalade, losing three in that run.
The Reds have also failed to win any of their four matches against sides currently in the top four of the Primeira Liga, suggesting they could struggle again here.
Knowing that avoiding defeat alone may not be enough, Benfica will look to draw confidence from an away record that has produced 10 wins in 14 league outings this season.
Sporting vs Benfica form guide & betting insights
| Sporting Lisbon | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| W-D-W-W-W | League Form | D-W-W-D-W |
| 13 | Points | 11 |
| 1st | Form Table | 3rd |
| 14 | Goals For | 10 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 4 |
| W-W-L-W-D | Form (all comps) | D-W-W-D-W |
Whispers predicts: Sporting 1-1 Benfica
The Lisbon derby has often been a tightly contested affair with little to separate both sides, reflected in the recent run of regulation-time draws in this fixture.
As such, backing a draw at 3.50 looks solid, with Sporting’s struggles to secure wins against top-tier opposition reinforcing that angle, while Benfica have also found such fixtures challenging.
The goal market, however, offers strong value, with most meetings producing goals at both ends, so BTTS at 1.60 stands out, while a draw and BTTS combination at 4.33 provides added upside.
For the player market, Luis Suarez stands out given his strong scoring record at home, making the Colombian striker a solid anytime goalscorer option at 2.00.
> BTTS – Yes at 1.60 | Likelihood: Probable
> Anytime scorer - Luis Suarez at 2.00 | Likelihood: Possible
> Match result – Draw at 3.10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS – Yes at 4.33 | Likelihood: Outsider