Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The Portuguese Cup final will see Benfica face off against Sporting. The showdown is set for Lisbon on Sunday, May 25, with kick-off scheduled for 18:15 Central European Time. My focus is on the attacking potential in this high-stakes encounter.
Match preview
Benfica came up short in the league title race this season, finishing second in the Primeira Liga standings. The Eagles kept their main rivals under pressure right up to the final round, but couldn’t clinch victory in the decisive head-to-head clash.
In the season finale, the destiny of the title was in Sporting’s hands, as they secured a convincing win while Benfica failed to beat Braga. A silver medal is a solid result, but at this club, the highest ambitions always remain.
Still, Benfica didn’t finish the campaign empty-handed. Back in mid-winter, Bruno Lage’s side lifted the Portuguese League Cup — overcoming Sporting in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.
Benfica are record holders for Portuguese Cup victories, but haven’t hoisted the trophy since 2017. The last two finals were bitter disappointments: losing to Porto in 2020 and to Braga in 2021.
Sporting, meanwhile, experienced a slight dip in form after Ruben Amorim’s departure, but avoided a full-blown crisis. The Lions stumbled a few times, but rallied at the finish line to defend their Portuguese league crown.
Chasing their first domestic double since 2002 is a huge motivation for Sporting. The sting of losing the recent League Cup final to Benfica adds even more fire to their ambitions.
Sporting haven’t tasted Portuguese Cup glory for a long time, and in recent years, both they and Benfica have dominated the domestic scene. With both teams in fine form, fans are bracing for a spectacular showdown.
Special mention must go to Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish forward has already racked up an astonishing 53 goals this season, making him a top transfer target for Europe’s elite. With a summer move looking highly likely, Gyökeres will be eager to sign off with another trophy. Almost every English giant is lining up for his signature, but Arsenal appear to be leading the chase right now.
Match facts
- Benfica are unbeaten in their last 12 matches.
- The Eagles have drawn their last two games.
- Sporting haven’t lost a domestic match since December last year.
- The Lions have only failed to win once in their last seven outings.
- Benfica average 2.6 goals per game, while Sporting average 2.5 goals per game.
Probable lineups
- Benfica: Trubin, Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras, Florentino, Barreiro, Kokçu, Aktürkoğlu, Di María, Pavlidis.
- Sporting: Silva, Inácio, St. Juste, Quaresma, Matheus Reis, Araujo, Debast, Morita, Gonçalves, Trincão, Gyökeres.
H2H
- Benfica have failed to beat Sporting in regulation time for six consecutive matches.
- Each of the last three meetings between these sides have seen no more than two goals scored.
Prediction
This clash between Portugal’s top teams promises to be the highlight of the season. Benfica and Sporting are set to share all the domestic silverware this campaign, and the cup final will decide who claims a second trophy. Bookmakers are struggling to pick a clear favourite, though Benfica have a slight edge. Either way, expect a fiercely contested and tense affair, likely short on goals. My tip: under 3 goals total.
