Benfica vs Sporting CP Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Liga Portugal, 2025

Benfica vs Sporting CP Preview

Tournament: Liga Portugal

Date: Saturday, 10th May

Venue: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz)

Kick-off Time: 5:00 PM GMT

Benfica will take on Sporting CP in the 33rd fixture of Liga Portugal at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Saturday. This clash will be between the top two of the league, who are level on points and are fighting it out for the title.

Benfica are currently placed second in the table with 78 points from 32 matches, which includes 25 wins, three draws, and four losses. The Eagles have been unbeaten in the league since January 25, when they lost 3-1 to Casa Pia AC. After that defeat, they have been on a run of 14 games without a loss. They come into this game after defeating Estoril 1-2. Just seven minutes into the game, Fredrik Aursnes opened the scoring for the Eagles, and Nicolas Otamendi doubled their lead in the 35th minute from a set-piece situation. Yanis Begraoui's penalty was saved by the Benfica goalkeeper in the 66th minute, and Vinicius Zonocelo scored one around the 78th minute, but it was just a consolation.

This season, Benfica has been a formidable force in Liga Portugal because of Bruno Lage's aggressive offensive style. With Vangelis Pavlidis emerging as a major player and scoring four goals in only three games, their attack has been especially deadly.

Under Bruno Lage, the Eagles have dominated possession and created scoring opportunities by concentrating on fast transitions and intense pressure. A key element in their success has been their capacity to take advantage of openings behind defensive lines.

On the other hand, Sporting leads the league table with the same points as their opposition. This season, they have so far won 24, drawn six, and lost two. Sporting has been on an unbeaten run of 21 games in the league since being defeated 2-1 by Moreirense. The Leoes head into this game after a 2-1 victory against 14th-placed Gil Vicente. They were trailing in the game till the 81st minute, when Maximiliano Araujo levelled the score, and during the injury time, Eduardo Quaresma scored the winner.

This season, Sporting CP has shown tactical acuity in Liga Portugal, adjusting under Rui Borges following Rúben Amorim's departure. The club has continued with a 3-4-3 setup under Borges, with a focus on organised defensive play and midfield control. Sporting's high backline has been a crucial component of their strategy, as it helps with counter-pressing and preserving possession dominance. They have effectively broken down defensive systems because they can locate offensive midfielders in pockets.

Let's have a look at the team news for both sides.

Benfica Team News

Manager Bruno Lage has a fairly fit squad available at his disposal for this fixture. He will miss the services of Alexander Bah and Manu Silva; both of them are out with season-ending ACL injuries. Midfielder Renato Sanches remains a doubt for this fixture with a muscle injury. He will be expected to start with a back four consisting of Dahl, Otamendi, Silva, and Araujo. Goal-scoring responsibility will be on Vangelis Pavlidis and Kerem Akturkoglu.

Sporting CP Team News

Just like their opposition, the Leoes also have a mostly fit squad. Manager Rui Borges will be without Daniel Braganca, Nuno Santos, and Joao Simoes due to season-ending injuries. The manager will heavily rely on Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored 38 goals in the league so far.

Benfica vs Sporting CP Predicted Lineups

Benfica Predicted Lineup (4-3-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Soares

Defenders: Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl

Midfielders: Luis, Kokcu, Aursnes

Forwards: Amdouni, Akturkoglu, Pavlidis

Sporting CP Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Silva

Defenders: Inacio, Diomande, St. Juste

Midfielders: Reis, Debast, Hjulmand, Fresneda

Forwards: Goncalves, Gyokeres, Trincao

Benfica vs Sporting CP Head-to-Head Record

Both teams have faced each other 42 times in recent years. 18 games have been won by Benfica, 12 by Sporting, while 11 matches ended as a draw.

Key Players to watch in Benfica vs Sporting CP

Vange Pavlidis (Benfica)

Pavlidis is an important player for Benfica in their forthcoming matchup with Sporting CP since he has been in prime form. He has scored seven goals in his past five games and has regularly delivered under pressure.

He should play a significant role in Benfica's offensive transitions, taking advantage of any defensive breakdowns with his fast decision-making. Pavlidis might make the difference in this crucial match if Sporting CP is unable to control his precise finishing and positional understanding.

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

With 38 goals and 6 assists to lead Sporting CP's offence this season, Viktor Gyökeres has been an outstanding player. A consistent threat in the final third, Gyokeres will prove crucial in this potential title-decider as well. He has scored eight goals in the past five games, including a hat-trick against Moreirense and a four against Boavista. High-intensity pressing strategies are ideal for Gyökeres, who frequently forces defensive blunders and takes advantage of fast transitions.

Gyökeres will be essential in dismantling Benfica's defensive organization. He might make the difference in this crucial match if he can take advantage of openings and keep up his unrelenting work ethic.

Benfica vs Sporting CP Prediction

With both sides competing for the Liga Portugal championship, this Lisbon Derby between Benfica and Sporting CP is expected to be a high-stakes match. Benfica has been attacking relentlessly under Bruno Lage, averaging more than 2.5 goals per game over the previous seven games. Rui Borges' Sporting CP has been as powerful, winning four straight games and having a goal differential of +59 across 32 games.

Given how well both sides are playing, this game might be goal-heavy and conclude in either a close Benfica victory or a 2-2 tie. Although Benfica's home advantage may tip the scales, Sporting CP is a formidable opponent due to their propensity to grind out results.

Predicted Score: Benfica 2-2 Sporting CP

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