On Friday night, Sporting Lisbon host Benfica at the Estadio José Alvalade, in what could prove to be a vital Lisbon derby in the race for the Primeira Liga title.
The visitors are currently four points clear of rivals Porto at the top of the table, having won 15 of their 16 league games so far this season. Their only blip was a 2-0 defeat against their title rivals in August.
Due to that relatively small gap to their rivals, Benfica knows that they cannot afford to slip up in this derby clash. Having won their last 13 league games it seems unlikely that Bruno Lage’s team will slip-up against their city rivals.
A key to their good Primeira Liga campaign so far has their attacking prowess. The Eagles are the highest scorers in the Portuguese top-flight. They have also scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight league outings. Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius has hit form this season, scoring ten times in just 14 league appearances.
Benfica have been strong away from home in recent months, winning their last 16 league games on their travels in the Primeira Liga.
🎯 4 Shots⚽ ⚽ GoalsThere's no doubt who was the #ManOfTheMatchSCP of the game: @B_Fernandes8 👏 pic.twitter.com/GZPE4h4Kg9— Sporting CP_en (@SportingCP_en) January 12, 2020
🎯 4 Shots⚽ ⚽ GoalsThere's no doubt who was the #ManOfTheMatchSCP of the game: @B_Fernandes8 👏 pic.twitter.com/GZPE4h4Kg9
Sporting currently occupy the last European berth in the Primeira Liga. However, they are a massive 16 points behind the visitors.
Emanuel Ferro’s team have experienced an inconsistent campaign so far this season. However, their form seems to be improving lately, as a 3-1 victory at Vitoria Setubal last time out means the home side has won three of their last four league outings.
Sporting’s recent home record in the Primeira Liga has also been inconsistent. However, a 2-1 defeat against Porto last time out on home soil ended a three-match winning run on home soil in the Portuguese top-flight.
Forebet predicts that Benfica will record another victory in a low-scoring game to keep a healthy gap from second place, Porto.