Two Portuguese powerhouses collide for the first time in 2023 as Benfica and Sporting Lisbon go head to head at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in round 16 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
While Ruben Amorim's men have underperformed this season, As Aguias hold a four-point lead at the top of the league table and will set out to secure the bragging rights over their rivals this weekend.
Match preview
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Benfica maintained their quest for a domestic title sweep as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Varzim in the round-of-16 of the Taca de Portugal last Tuesday.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio do Varzim SC, Alejandro Grimaldo and Enzo Fernandez scored on either side of the half-time break to dump the third-tier side out of the cup race.
Prior to that, Benfica snapped a run of three consecutive games without a win in their first outing of the new year as they saw off Portimonense 1-0 on January 6 courtesy of a first-half penalty from Joao Mario.
As Aguias now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are on course to clinch a record-extending 38th league title as they sit top of the table with 40 points from 15 matches.
Roger Schmidt's side head into the weekend unbeaten in all but one of their last 16 league outings since July, claiming an impressive 14 victories and one draw in that time.
Their only league defeat this season came at the hands of Braga in their final game of 2022 when a brace from Ricardo Horta and Abel Ruiz's early strike fired Os Arcebispos to a comprehensive victory.
Benfica, who appear to have hit their strides once again, will now set out to get one over rivals Sporting Lisbon, having lost their previous two home games against the 19-time Portuguese champions.
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As for Sporting Lisbon, they must quickly move on from Sunday's shock defeat at the hands of 17th-placed Maritimo as they were beaten 1-0 by the Madeira outfit.
Despite being under the cosh for most of the game, Maritimo found a way as Brazilian defender Claudio Winck converted his second-half penalty to hand the visitors a vital win at the Estadio do Maritimo.
Prior to that, Amorim's men were on a seven-game winning streak across all competitions, a run which saw them cruise to the semi-finals of the Taca da Liga, where they have been drawn against Arouca on January 24.
Sporting Lisbon have now lost five of their 15 league outings this season, while winning nine to collect 28 points and sit fourth in the table, five points off third-placed Porto in the Champions League playoff spot.
Sporting Lisbon's underwhelming first half of the season has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they have managed just three wins and dropped 18 points from a possible 24 this season.
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Grimaldo was forced off injured early in the second half against Varzim last time out and the Spanish defender is a major doubt for Benfica.
Should he fail to shake off his injury, former Montpellier man Mihailo Ristic should come into the fold, forming the back four with Alexander Bah, Antonio Silva and Nicolas Otamendi.
Fernandez marked his return to the squad with a goal and the Argentine sensation should retain his role at the centre of the park, alongside Florentino Luis and 27-year-old Chiquinho.
As for Sporting Lisbon, Amorim will be unable to call upon the services of veteran defender Luis Neto, who has been out of action since September through a knee problem.
Daniel Braganca has been sidelined since sustaining a cruciate ligament rupture last May and the Portuguese midfielder is also ruled out of Sunday's match.
Hidemasa Morita, who featured in three matches for Japan during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is also recuperating from a muscle problem and will play no part for the Leoes.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Ristic; Luis, Fernandez, Chiquinho; Mario, Draxler, Ramos
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Inacio, Coates, Reis; Porro, Ugarte, Fernandes, Gomes; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao
We say: Benfica 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
With the disappointment from Sunday's defeat still lingering in the air, Sporting Lisbon will head into the weekend looking to make an immediate reaction.
However, they take on a Benfica side who have been near impenetrable on home turf, where they have won each of their seven league matches this season. While we anticipate an end-to-end and thrilling contest, we predict that As Aguias will find a way and come out victorious in front of their home fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
