Konstantinos Mitroglou was the hero for Benfica as his early goal has put Benfica on course for a third consectuvie Primeira Liga title. Sporting, with more of the play and having wasted chances, will look back at the game as one of the most painful defeats in recent memory.
There was good news for Sporting pre-match when Adrien Silva, who missed the Bayer Leverkusen clash after having picked up an injury before the match, passed a late fitness test. However, Benfica lost goalkeeper Júlio César, who was injured in training yesterday, meaning 22-year old Ederson was required to the start. Indeed, the defences appeared to be both teams' weak points. Sporting, without Paulo Oliveira still, using the unproven combination of Sebastián Coates and Ewerton at centre-back.
There was a thunderous atmosphere in the Estádio José Alvalade, as expected, for what is certainly the most important Lisbon derby in several years. The subplots were plenty, Jorge Jesus, André Carrillo, as well as off-field allegations from both sides over the past year, but only first place in the Primeira Liga really mattered on the night.
The fixture between Sporting and Benfica is so steeped in history and significance that it is known in Portugal as “the eternal derby”. This Saturday’s clash in particular has all the ingredients to go down in eternity.
The Portuguese title race took another exciting turn in Round 24, after which the top three were separated by just 4 points. Moreover, leaders Sporting are now just a single point ahead of city rivals Benfica, with the two Lisbon giants meeting each other on Saturday evening at Alvalade.
Conclusive. It was four wins out of four matches for German teams Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen against FC Porto and Sporting respectively. 
Sporting Braga’s Europa League campaign continues after a 2-2 draw against Sion on a wet Wednesday afternoon at the Estádio AXA. 