Primeira Liga prediction and preview: Benfica modest favorites to beat Sporting CP

It's no vacation for neither Benfica nor Sporting CP as both were in action only a few days ago. Expect some tired legs on the pitch and/or possibly some changes to the lineups.

This is a local derby, usually meaning added tension and importance.

Happy, happy days for Sporting CP who are already winners of the Primeira Liga. This could affect their motivation.

Benfica form and stats

The home supporters can't complain about results here at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica as Benfica have scored 27 goals to get 36 points from 16 games. The overall stats in the Primeira Liga are 11-3-2 (wins-draws-losses).

A strong away win for Benfica against Nacional the last match, as Gonçalo Ramos (2) were on target. The attacker Gonçalo Ramos was "man of the match" for Benfica with a rating of 8.42/10. Ramos scored two goals.

The spoils were shared after 90 minutes before that, a home game that ended 1-1 versus Porto.

The home team are moderate favourites in this game. How does Benfica handle that role? We have found two games in our database similar to this one, based on the home odds. The stats for these games are one win, one draw and zero defeats.

The manager J. Pinheiro de Jesus will start preparations for the next game as soon this is finished, as the hosts are going to Vitoria Guimaraes in only four days.

A decent goal production from Benfica in their home games so far, with 27 goals from 16 league matches. Benfica have only conceded 12 from their league home games. For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above.

Sporting CP form and stats

Rock solid. That's the only way to describe the travels of Sporting CP so far, with 13-3-0 (wins-draws-losses) so far. Those are Primeira Liga statistics. The visitors have performed well in their home games as well, building a total win streak of four games home and away. Sporting CP hope to make it five in this match.

The Sporting CP goalkeeper Antonio Adan Garrido is collecting clean sheets like a laundry worker. It's been 396 league minutes without conceding a goal, and counting.

Sporting CP had fun at their own home (Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica) last time out, beating Boavista 1-0. Paulinho scored. Midfield player Nuno Mendes was the top player of the team with a match rating of 8.12/10. Mendes hit the woodwork once, hit three key passes and had 44 successful passes (of 48 total). The 1-0 victory against Boavista could easily have been bigger as the victors made a valiant effort at breaking the goal posts, hitting them three times.

Prior to that result Sporting CP won their away game at Rio Ave. The scoreline was 2-0.

We have checked recent matches where Sporting CP have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those four games were zero victories, one draw and three defeats.

A quick return to home after this game, as Sporting CP are hosting Maritimo in the Primeira Liga only four days away.

Sporting CP has displayed an ability to score goals in away matches in the league this season, 28 goals from 16 games. Sporting CP are tight as a drum on their travels, having allowed the opposition only 6 goals away. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only 0 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 away matches.

Head 2 Head

The teams have played each other before this season, with the result Sporting CP - Benfica 1-0 entered in the official records. Last ten meetings between the teams: Benfica won five, Sporting CP won two and three draws. four games with over 2,5 goals, six matches with two goals or less.

Top Goalscorers

H. Seferović 18 goals

P. Pereira Gonçalves 18 goals

G. Waldschmidt 7 goals

Benfica missing players

Sporting CP missing players