Benfica vs Sporting CP: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

The title race in the Liga Primeira in Portugal will go down to the wire when Benfica and Sporting CP collide Saturday in a thrilling Lisbon derby with lots at stake. Both teams enter this round tied at 78 points after 32 matches, and with only two rounds to go, this is a pivotal match to determine which team will be the new league champions.

At least on paper, Benfica might have the edge since they’re playing at home. However, Sporting CP are ahead of Benfica based on the goal differential, so a draw would be enough for the White and Green to remain at the top of the standings with only one match to go.

Benfica Have Been Excellent at Home

Even though Benfica have their backs against the wall ahead of this match since a win is the only result that would allow them to surpass Sporting CP and move into first place, they should feel happy about their chances of getting the three points since they’ll be playing at home.

Benfica have posted an excellent W14, D1, L1 record at Estadio Da Luz this season, posting the best attack (51 goals scored) and the joint-best defence (11 goals conceded). The lone draw, however, came two rounds ago in a 2-2 draw vs. Arouca. But there’s no question Benfica are in a good spot to get the three points based on their track record in front of their fans.

Benfica Injury & Suspension News

Alexander Bah (knee), Manu (knee) and Renato Sanches (muscular) are out of this match and neither is expected to return this season. Mohamed Amdouni (undisclosed) is being tabbed as a game-time call for Saturday.

Final Step for Sporting CP

Sporting CP had to endure plenty of changes throughout the 2024-25 season. They lost some key players in the summer, something that’s bound to happen for the second year in a row, and also suffered the departure of Ruben Amorim midway through the season. However, the club has found a way to adjust and now sit 180 minutes away from another league title.

Playing on the road against their arch-rivals shouldn’t be the ideal scenario, but if there’s one team capable of stealing the three points, that’s Sporting CP. Aside from entering this match on a four-game winning run, they also have the best away record in the league with only one defeat in 16 matches (W11, D4, L1) and four straight wins on the road.

Sporting CP Injury & Suspension News

Daniel Braganca (knee), Nuno Santos (knee) and Joao Simoes (leg) are all out for this match. The rest of the squad should be fit and available, however, including their top scorer Viktor Gyokeres.

Benfica vs Sporting CP Prediction

Predicting derbies is extremely complicated, and especially one where there’s so much at stake, but the one thing that we do know is that this match should be very intense with both teams pushing to score goals early and often. Four of their last five H2H meetings have ended with both teams scoring, and that should be the case again here.

CryptoGamba tip: Both teams to score – 1.67 @Stake