Sporting Lisbon and Benfica bring their schedule for 2024 to an end with a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in round 16 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
Having failed to win any of the three meetings between the sides across all competitions this year, As Aguias will head into the latest edition of the heated Lisbon derby looking to get one over their rivals.
Match preview
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Sporting Lisbon picked up another disappointing result last Sunday when they played out a goalless draw with Gil Vicente after a wasteful display in front of goal at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
Despite seeing over 60% of the ball possession and having a number of clear-cut chances, the visitors failed to beat an inspired Andrew between the sticks for Gil Vicente as they settled for a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Sporting Lisbon spared their blushes in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal on December 18, when they needed a 115th-minute strike from Viktor Gyokeres to scrape a 2-1 extra-time victory over Santa Clara at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
With last weekend's stalemate, the Leoes have failed to win five of their most recent seven matches across all competitions — losing four and claiming one draw — a run which has seen Joao Pereira relieved of his role at the helm of affairs.
Sporting Lisbon have picked up 37 points from their 15 Primeira Liga matches to sit second in the league table, level on points with third-placed Porto and one behind Sunday's visitors at the top of the pile.
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On the other hand, Benfica made light work of Estoril Praia on Monday as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Canarinhos when the two sides squared off at the Estadio da Luz.
Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 28th minute to put As Aguias in front before Switzerland international Zeki Amdouni netted twice off the bench to cap off a dominant team display and hand the visitors their seventh league defeat.
Benfica have now gone nine straight games without defeat across all competitions, picking up seven wins and two draws since November's 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, where they currently sit 15th in the standings with 10 points from six matches.
This fine run of results has also seen Bruno Lage's men book their spot in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of an emphatic 7-0 victory over Estrela Amadora at the Estadio da Luz on November 23.
While Benfica will be looking to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table this weekend, they have failed to win their three meetings with Sporting in all competitions this year, losing twice and claiming one draw so far.
Team News
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Following the departure of Pereira, Sporting Lisbon has snapped up Rui Borges from Vitoria de Guimaraes and the 43-year-old will be looking to hit the ground running at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
On the injury front, the Leoes remain without several players down the spine of the team as Daniel Braganca (muscle), Hidemasa Morita (thigh) and Pedro Goncalves (muscle) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Goncalo Inacio has missed each of the last four matches since coming off injured in the game against Moreirense on December 5 and the 23-year-old defender is ruled out for the home side.
Nuno Santos also continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a knee injury back in October and the 29-year-old striker is also out of contention for this weekend's matchup.
Benfica, meanwhile, remain without 23-year-old forward Tiago Gouveia, who has been ruled out since coming off with a shoulder injury in August's game against Estrela Amadora.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow Portuguese Renato Sanches, who has missed each of the last eight matches since picking up a muscle problem in November.
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; Debast, Diomande, Quaresma; Quenda, Simoes, Hjulmand, Araujo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Harder
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Araujo, Bah, Silva, Carreras; Aursnes, Kokcu; Di Maria, Akturkoglu, Beste; Pavlidis
We say: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Benfica
Games between Sporting Lisbon and Benfica have often served up fireworks and we anticipate another action-packed contest at the Estadio Jose Alvalade with plenty of goalmouth action. As Aguias head into the weekend as the more in-form side, and we predict that they will heap more misery on the out-of-sorts hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
