Last year Benfica took a massive step towards winning their third consecutive Portuguese title with a 1-0 victory at Alvalade late in the season. One year on, and a repeat result in tomorrow’s Lisbon derby will leave the Eagles on the verge of making it four straight championship triumphs for the first time in their history.
For that reason alone, Sporting would love to get one over their fierce city rivals. Should the home team win, they will cut the gap to Benfica to five points. It still would appear to be an insurmountable deficit to make up considering only four rounds of matches remain after this weekend. Having said that, just a few weeks ago Benfica were 12 points ahead of the Lions…
More realistically, the three points may keep Sporting’s season alive, if only in the fight for the runners-up spot, which brings the prize of automatic qualification for the Champions League.
Form guide
Sporting may be lagging behind Benfica and Porto in the table, but it is not because of their form since the turn of the year. Jorge Jesus’s team have lost only one league game this calendar year, and have won eight and drawn one of their last nine encounters in the Liga NOS. Much has been made of the prolific scoring of Dutch striker Bas Dost (10 goals in his last 5 games!) but the upturn in form has coincided with a big improvement in the team’s defence. Rui Patrício has conceded only three goals in his last eight games for Sporting.
In contrast, Benfica’s form has been patchy at best in 2017, although the Eagles have largely managed to get positive results, even when not playing well. And two wins in their last two games at Moreirense and at home to Marítimo, means Benfica continue to sit pretty at the top of the table, as they have done since week 5 of the competition way back in September. Like Sporting, Benfica’s defence has given the opposition few opportunities to score of late. Disregarding the 3-3 draw against Estoril in the Portuguese Cup when Benfica played with a second-string team, Ederson has conceded just one goal in his last five matches.
Team news, likely starting line-ups
Sporting are without the suspended Marvin Zeegelaar, and with Jorge Jesus apparently not enamoured with back-up left-back Jefferson, it is likely Bruno César will retreat into the back four. Adrien is back after his second lengthy layoff because of injury this season, while Gelson Martins also returned last week after missing the previous match with a knock.
Predicted Sporting XI:
Rui Patrício, Schelotto, Coates, Rúben Semedo, Bruno César, William Carvalho, Adrien, Bryan Ruiz, Gelson Martins, Alan Ruiz, Bas Dost
Benfica are sweating on the fitness of star striker Jonas, who limped off against Marítimo last weekend after scoring a brace. The current leaders have been boosted by the return of left-back Alex Grimaldo, who looked back to his best last weekend in his second match back since a long-term injury layoff.
Predicted Benfica XI:
Ederson, Nelson Semedo, Luisão, Lindelöff, Grimaldo, Fejsa, Pizzi, Salvio, Rafa, Jonas, Mitroglou
Quote, unquote
Sporting coach Jorge Jesus: "We're a long way from the objective we want to be, competing for the title. What's important is that Sporting play to win with passion, feeling, responsibility, pressure, sticking to our identity of playing to win no matter who the opposition is."
Benfica coach Rui Vitória: "Jonas is in the squad. We'll see by kick-off time what will happen (in terms of fitness). Will we man-mark Bas Dost? Benfica don't man-mark players. We're together, we're united and there is a very strong bond among all of us."
Tense backdrop
This is always an intense fixture in the Portuguese football calendar, but relations between the two neighbouring clubs have reached an all-time low since the defection of Jesus from Benfica to Sporting, and the current toxic atmosphere surrounding Portuguese club football will only add to the tension tomorrow.
Benfica have drawn two and won one of their three matches against Porto and Sporting this season, and were impressive when somewhat unluckily drawing against Porto earlier this month in a game where the team in red – somewhat going against tradition since Rui Vitória has been the coach – threw caution to the wind a took the initiative throughout.
However, with Benfica knowing a draw will keep them top of the table, and with Sporting in such fine form, it would be no surprise to see Benfica adopting a safety-first approach and keeping plenty of men behind the ball at Alvalade.
Keep track of the action by following PortuGOAL on twitter reporting live from the stadium. Kick-off at 8.30pm Lisbon time on Saturday night.
By Tom Kundert
