The Derby de Lisboa reaches fever pitch this weekend as Benfica and Sporting Lisbon lock horns in a penultimate Primeira Liga clash that could well determine the destination of the title.
Both sides found ways to edge past tricky opponents in their most recent outings to stay neck-and-neck on 78 points, though it is the hosts who trail by virtue of head-to-head count entering into this high-stakes encounter.
Match preview
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Having shadowed each other on all domestic fronts this season, Benfica will aim to strike another blow in this gripping rivalry after their penalty triumph over Sporting in the League Cup final back in January, with the two sides also set to battle again under the floodlights of Estadio Nacional do Jamor on May 25 for the Taca de Portugal trophy.
That has kept alive the prospect of a clean sweep of all three major Portuguese silverwares for the Eagles, who know only a win here would be enough to seize the driving seat in the title race before a tricky test at Braga on the final day of the Primeira Liga.
Not the most convincing of performances, but Benfica did enough to get over the line at Estoril Praia, carving out a 2-1 victory thanks to a commanding first-half display in which Fredrik Aursnes and Nicolas Otamendi found the net before Vinicius Zanocelo halved the deficit in the 78th minute to set up a tense finish.
Bruno Lage's men have now emerged victorious in 12 of their last 13 league matches and will back themselves to ride that momentum into Saturday's derby, although recent meetings with Sporting in the Primeira Liga have not been kind, with defeats in the last two.
Even so, Benfica can take comfort from having edged the most recent meeting between the sides at Estadio da Luz and will look to lean on that, alongside their formidable record at the ground this season.
No team in the division has been more dominant on home soil, with the Eagles boasting 14 wins, one draw and just one defeat at their ground, and they will hope that fortress holds firm on Saturday.
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Sporting have more than held their own on their travels this campaign, sitting top of the away standings with 37 points claimed from a possible 48, which makes this fixture appear as evenly poised as any derby could be.
On course to make it back-to-back league titles after lifting the crown with 90 points in 2023-24, the Lions have had to weather several bumps in the road, especially during the aftermath of Ruben Amorim's departure, and will fall short of last season's haul.
However, following a turbulent managerial period, Sporting appear to have rediscovered their balance under Rui Borges's leadership — the man whose reign began with a 1-0 triumph over Benfica — and he now has a chance to guide the champions to their first league double in this fixture since the 2005-06 season.
The Green and Whites head into this contest on the back of a 2-1 win over Gil Vicente, which extended their perfect streak to four matches and stretched their unbeaten run in the top flight to 19 games.
A draw would be enough to preserve top spot ahead of Sporting's final day meeting with Vitoria Guimaraes at Estadio Jose Alvalade, but victory here would seal the title with a game to spare.
Team News
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Angel Di Maria is back to full fitness and could feature in Benfica's lineup, with the Argentine typically stepping up in big moments like Saturday's derby, meaning Zeki Amdouni may drop to the bench.
Alvaro Carreras returns after serving a match ban against Estoril, and his availability is a significant boost, with the Spaniard expected to start at left-back.
Head coach Lage has occasionally used a three-man backline, and it would not be surprising if he opts for the same strategy here to counter the threat of Viktor Gyokeres.
Meanwhile, Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Renato Sanches remain sidelined as they continue their recovery from injury.
As for Sporting, Geny Catamo has found the net in his last two appearances against Benfica, but he faces competition from Geovany Quenda for a place at right-wing-back after the latter made a notable impact off the bench in their previous outing.
Despite scoring last time, Maxi Araujo may start on the bench, as Borges could favour the more defensively solid Matheus Reis at left-wing-back.
On the injury front, Nuno Santos, Joao Simoes and Daniel Braganca are all ruled out for Saturday's crucial encounter.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Araujo; Florentino, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Aursnes; Di Maria; Pavlidis
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Silva; Inacio, Debast, Quaresma; Reis, Hjulmand, Morita, Catamo; Pote, Gyokeres, Trincao
We say: Benfica 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
A Benfica victory by more than one goal will see the Eagles crowned champions, based on the head-to-head rule, while a Sporting win by any margin would hand the title to the Lions.
Expect a game brimming with emotion and caution, with the hosts under greater pressure to deliver, though playing at home could tip the balance in their favour.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
