The top two clubs in Liga Portugal will face off when Sporting CP take on SL Benfica on Sunday night.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Estadio Jose Alvalade hosts a highly anticipated Lisbon derby between Sporting CP and SL Benfica on Sunday, with just one point separating the two sides at the top of the Primeira Liga table. This clash not only determines bragging rights but could also shape the momentum of the title race heading into the new year.
Sporting CP are coming into this fixture on the back of a frustrating goalless draw against Gil Vicente last Sunday. Despite dominating possession and creating clear-cut opportunities, Sporting failed to find the net against an inspired Andrew in goal. Prior to this, the Leoes narrowly avoided an upset in the Taca de Portugal, needing a 115th-minute winner from Viktor Gyokeres to secure a 2-1 extra-time victory over Santa Clara.
The lack of consistency in recent weeks has been evident for Sporting, as they have now won just two of their last seven games across all competitions, losing four and drawing one. This inconsistent run has led to Joao Pereira stepping down from his managerial role. However, Sporting remain firmly in the title race, tied on 37 points with Porto and trailing Benfica by a single point.
On the other hand, Benfica arrive in high spirits after a commanding 3-0 victory over Estoril Praia at the Estadio da Luz on Monday. Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring, with substitute Zeki Amdouni netting twice to seal a dominant performance. As Aguias are now unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, with seven wins and two draws since their narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in November.
Under Bruno Lage, Benfica have shown tremendous form and resilience, cementing their position at the top of the table while also advancing comfortably in the Taca de Portugal with a 7-0 thrashing of Estrela Amadora. Despite their strong form, Benfica will be wary of their recent record against Sporting, having failed to win any of their three meetings in 2024, including two defeats and a draw. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Sporting CP
Sporting CP head into this crucial derby under new management after appointing Rui Borges as head coach following the departure of Joao Pereira. Borges will have to navigate a challenging debut, as Sporting Lisbon remains without several key players due to injuries.
Daniel Braganca (muscle injury), Hidemasa Morita (thigh strain), and Pedro Goncalves (muscle injury) are all unavailable, depriving the team of vital options in midfield. Meanwhile, defender Goncalo Inacio continues to miss out after sustaining an injury against Moreirense earlier this month, extending his absence to a fifth game. Nuno Santos also remains sidelined as he recovers from a serious knee injury sustained in October, ruling him out for the foreseeable future.
For the lineup, Sporting CP is expected to adopt a 3-4-3 formation. Antonio Adan will guard the goal, supported by a defensive trio comprising Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, and Eduardo Quaresma.
In midfield, Morten Hjulmand and Joao Simoes are set to anchor the centre of the pitch, flanked by Geovany Quenda on the right and Maximiliano Araujo on the left as wing-backs. Up front, Francisco Trincao and Viktor Gyokeres will provide the attacking thrust, with Conrad Harder adding firepower to Sporting’s offensive unit.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Israel; Debast, Diomande, Quaresma; Quenda, Simoes, Hjulmand, Araujo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Harder
SL Benfica
Benfica head into this top-of-the-table clash with some key players missing. Tiago Gouveia remains sidelined following a shoulder injury sustained in August during the match against Estrela Amadora, keeping the 23-year-old forward out of action for several months.
Additionally, Renato Sanches is still unavailable due to a muscle problem that has seen him miss Benfica’s last eight matches since November. Despite these setbacks, manager Bruno Lage will look to maintain his side’s momentum as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga standings.
For the lineup, Benfica are expected to field a 4-2-3-1 formation. Anatoliy Trubin will start in goal, with Alexander Bah and Alvaro Carreras occupying the full-back positions. The central defensive pairing will feature Antonio Silva and Lucas Verissimo. In midfield, Fredrik Aursnes and Orkun Kokcu will form a solid double pivot, providing balance between defence and attack.
Angel Di Maria is set to play on the right wing, with Kerem Akturkoglu on the left, while Oscar Beste operates centrally in the attacking midfield role. Leading the line will be Vangelis Pavlidis, who continues to provide a potent goalscoring threat.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Araujo, Bah, Silva, Carreras; Aursnes, Kokcu; Di Maria, Akturkoglu, Beste; Pavlidis
Key Stats
- Sporting CP has not lost any of their home matches against SL Benfica across all competitions this calendar year, registering two wins and one draw in their previous three encounters.
- SL Benfica are unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions, with seven wins and two draws since November. They have also kept four clean sheets during this period.
- Sporting CP has failed to win five of their last seven matches across all competitions, managing just two wins while suffering four defeats. This poor form contributed to the dismissal of their former manager, Joao Pereira.
- The Leoes have conceded at least one goal in six of their last seven matches in all competitions, with only one clean sheet during this run.
- Benfica have scored 10 goals in their last three matches in all competitions, averaging 3.33 goals per game. Their attacking trio, led by Vangelis Pavlidis, has been instrumental in this surge.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swedish forward combines physicality, intelligent positioning, and clinical finishing, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in the Primeira Liga. In a matchup of this magnitude against Benfica, Gyökeres’s ability to hold up play, link with teammates, and create scoring opportunities will be crucial for Sporting CP.
The Swede’s knack for finding space in tight defensive setups and his composure in front of goal make him the key player to watch in this Lisbon derby. If Sporting CP are to claim all three points, expect Gyokeres to play a pivotal role.
Prediction
Sporting CP 1-2 SL Benfica
This derby promises to be an intense and closely fought battle. Sporting CP will rely on the home crowd and the individual brilliance of Viktor Gyokeres to end the year on a high. However, Benfica’s recent form and firepower in attack, led by Vangelis Pavlidis and Zeki Amdouni, could give them the edge. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away side.
