Manuel Chávez
Dailysports's expert
We present to our readers a forecast for the match between Sporting and Benfica, as the teams will play their first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final.
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Sporting
This season, Sporting is showing a commendable performance, competing for the Primeira Liga title, where they currently stand second, trailing the leader by two points with a game in hand. In the last round, the club dropped crucial points, settling for a draw away against Rio Ave. Sporting continues its journey in the Europa League, where they will face the formidable Atalanta in the round of 16. The team displays an entertaining style of play, which attracts fans.
Benfica
The "Eagles" have had a decent season so far, although there have been some inconsistencies in certain matches. The team leads the championship, but Sporting closely trails by two points with a game in hand. In the last round, Benfica managed to crush Portimonense 4-0 at home. The club is also continuing its Europa League campaign, where they will confront Rangers in the round of 16. Benfica, with its rich history, is always expected to contend for trophies, both domestically and in European competitions.
Interesting facts about the match and head-to-head history
- The opponents have already met once this season, with Benfica securing a 2-1 victory at their stadium, scoring both goals in stoppage time, while Sporting played most of the second half with ten men.
- Both clubs have exchanged goals in 6 out of the last 7 encounters.
Sporting vs Benfica Prediction
We anticipate an intriguing Lisbon derby, with both teams hailing from the same city, hence the factor of home ground advantage may not be as significant. However, Sporting is likely to have more supporters, perhaps giving them a slight edge according to the bookmakers. It's challenging for us to determine a clear favorite in such a match, so we predict an exchange of goals.
