There is no doubt where the biggest fixture in Portugal is taking place this week as FC Porto travel to the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica needing a point to clinch the Primeira title.
The hosts begin the weekend in third place on 71 points while the visitors are top of the league on 85 points, 6 points clear of second place Sporting Club.
Um pontapé fulminante que virou o Campeonato de 2018 ⚽ Inesquecível, @HHerreramex !💙 Onde viste este jogo?Golo do Dia 🤩 Goal of the day🆚 SL Benfica 🗓 2017/18#FCPorto #SLBFCP pic.twitter.com/WSFduUIe9V— FC Porto (@FCPorto) May 4, 2022
Um pontapé fulminante que virou o Campeonato de 2018 ⚽ Inesquecível, @HHerreramex !💙 Onde viste este jogo?Golo do Dia 🤩 Goal of the day🆚 SL Benfica 🗓 2017/18#FCPorto #SLBFCP pic.twitter.com/WSFduUIe9V
SL Benfica come into the match on the back of a 1-0 win at Marítimo last weekend. The only goal of the game was scored in the second minute and with Marítimo reduced to 10 men just before the interval, SL Benfica held on to take maximum points.
The result means SL Benfica are undefeated in their last 5 games in all competitions. They have defeated Belenenses at home in the Primeira Liga plus recorded an excellent 2-0 win at Sporting Club. However, in their previous home league fixture, Benfica were held to a 0-0 draw by Famalicão, which was a disappointing result.
Trends show, in all of their 6 most recent home matches in the Primeira Liga, there have been no losses for SL Benfica. They have won 4 of those 6 fixtures and both teams have scored in 3 of their last 4 home league matches.
FC Porto make the trip to the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica having previously beat Vizela 4-2 at home in the Primeira Liga. The score was 2-1 in favour of FC Porto at half-time but Vizela equalised shortly after the break. FC Porto did not take long to re-establish their lead and added a fourth goal with 3 minutes of the game remaining.
That result means FC Porto have won 6 of their last 7 games in all competitions. They have lost only 1 of their 9 most recent matches but the defeat did come in their latest away league game at Sporting Braga.
Away form in the Primeira Liga shows FC Porto have won 12 of their last 13 away league matches, which is a fantastic record.
Trends show they have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 away Primeira Liga games and have seen under 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 3 on the road. In addition, there have been under 2.5 goals scored in FC Porto's last 5 away league games against SL Benfica.
Team news and SL Benfica could be without Rafa Silva and Lucas Verissimo but both are hoping to return to action before the end of the season.
FC Porto travel without Wilson Manafá who has a muscle problem. Bruno Costa and Andrés Mateus Uribe are doubts but both could make the squad.
Given the recent record between the teams at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, we expect a tightly fought game, with under 2.5 goals scored.
FC Porto are the team with everything to play for and have a tremendous away record in the league. Therefore, we expect to see FC Porto clinch the title with a narrow 1-0 win.