Benfica vs Sporting Lisbon Prediction: Excitement builds ahead of Derby de Lisboa

Before domestic football takes a rest for the international break, we have the first Derby de Lisboa of the season to look forward to as Benfica host Sporting Lisbon at 20:30 on Sunday evening.

The stage could not have been set any better ahead of kick-off, with both teams on identical goal difference and separated by only three points at the top of the Primeira Liga table.

Benfica were outclassed and lucky to only lose 3-1 in their last match against Real Sociedad, while Sporting beat Rakow Czestochowa 2-1.

Team news

Benfica's Juan Bernat has recently added to the club's injury list, having picked up an adductor injury, and he joins Orkun Kokcu, Petar Musa, Alexander Bah and David Neres on the sidelines.

Sporting's Geny Catamo will miss the contest due to a muscle strain, but he is expected to return after the international break.

Match Odds

This game is traditionally difficult to predict and Benfica are available at 5/4, a price that is not often available for Roger Schmidt's team on home soil.

The last two games between these two fierce rivals have ended 2-2 and another tie is priced at 5/2.

Sporting are three points clear at the top of the table, but they are still 2/1 to win, such is the magnitude of the fixture.

Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11

The Derby de Lisboa is usually a spicy affair and Sunday's contest should be no different. After back-to-back 2-2 draws in this fixture, both sides will be desperate to claim the bragging rights heading into the international break.

Benfica's European campaign has been a disaster so far, but domestically, they are unbeaten in nine in the league.

They have scored eight in four at home so far in the Primeira Liga, but Sporting have been just as effective on the road. Ruben Amorim's troops have netted the same amount on their travels, and all signs point to another high-scoring battle.

Double chance - Draw or Sporting Lisbon @ 4/6 

The table suggests Sporting have been the better team this year, and it is hard to oppose them this weekend.

Benfica actually conceded five goals against Sociedad, but VAR saved them the embarrassment and ruled two of those out in midweek. They looked lost at the back, and if they fail to sharpen up, Sporting will carve them open.

Sporting also have a good record at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, last losing there in May 2021. They have won two of their last three games at the home of their rivals, and in their previous three trips, they have scored a total of seven goals.

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