Benfica vs Sporting: A battle for second place in the Portuguese league?
In the marquee fixture of Matchweek 13 in the Primeira Liga, Benfica host Sporting at the Estádio da Luz. The match will be played on Friday, 5 December, with kick-off set for 21:15 CET. Here is my betting preview for this clash.
Benfica vs Sporting: Match facts and H2H
- Benfica have won three matches in a row and are unbeaten in four.
- Sporting have won their last four matches and are unbeaten in 11 straight.
- Sporting have scored in every league match this season.
- Benfica have failed to win their last two home fixtures.
- Sporting have the best attack in the league with 31 goals scored.
- Sporting also boast the second-best defence in the Primeira Liga, with only seven conceded.
- Benfica have lost just 13% of their matches to nil this season, while Sporting have not lost any without scoring.
- Benfica have kept a clean sheet in 50% of their league games this season; Sporting in 45%.
- Sporting have scored in both halves in 55% of their matches this season.
- Benfica won the most recent head-to-head meeting 1–0.
Benfica vs Sporting: Match preview
These two sides sit next to each other in the standings, and the match carries major implications in the race for second place. The game is especially crucial for Benfica.
The Eagles have collected 28 points from the opening 12 rounds. They sit third, five points clear of fourth place. Benfica are on a three-match winning streak and unbeaten in four. During the season the club made a managerial change, appointing the legendary José Mourinho, who will look to push Benfica into the title race.
Sporting currently occupy second place with 31 points from 12 matches — three more than Benfica. A victory would allow them to pull six points clear of their Lisbon rivals; a defeat would bring the Eagles level. The Lions are the reigning champions of Portugal and remain firmly in the hunt for the top spot, sitting just three points off first place. Notably, Sporting possess the league’s most prolific attack with 31 goals scored.
Probable lineups
- Benfica: Trubin; Dahl, Otamendi, A Silva, Dedic; Rios, Barrenechea; Aursnes, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
- Sporting: Silva; Araujo, Inacio, Quaresma, Fresneda; Morita, Hjulmand; Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves; Suarez
Prediction
This is a hugely important match that promises plenty of excitement. Both teams score freely, so a high-scoring game is very much on the cards. My recommended bet is Both Teams to Score.
