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Sporting Lisbon are set to play Benfica at the Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday in the Primeira Liga.
Sporting Lisbon come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Maritimo in the league. An own goal from Brazilian centre-back Matheus Costa and a penalty from Uruguayan centre-back Sebastian Coates secured the win for Ruben Amorim's Sporting Lisbon, who had Spanish goalkeeper Antonio Adan sent off late in the second half.
Benfica, on the other hand, beat Portimonense 5-1 in the league. Goals from Spanish left-back Alex Grimaldo and striker Goncalo Ramos, a brace from Croatian striker Petar Musa and an own goal from centre-back Filipe Relvas sealed the deal for Roger Schmidt's Benfica.
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Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- in 38 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Benfica have won 20 games, lost nine and drawn nine.
- Forward Pedro Goncalves has 25 goal contributions in 31 league starts for Sporting Lisbon this season.
- Winger Francisco Trincao has 11 goal contributions in 24 league starts for Sporting Lisbon this season.
- Striker Goncalo Ramos has 20 goal contributions in 28 league starts for Benfica this season.
- Brazilian attacker David Neres has 14 goal contributions in 21 league starts for Benfica this season.
Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica Prediction
Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the standings and have won four of their last five league games. They are 13 points behind league leaders Benfica and manager Ruben Amorim, who led the club to long-awaited league success a few seasons ago, will not be satisfied with the way the domestic campaign has gone.
Amorim has long been touted as one of the best young managers in world football and has been linked with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the past. He continues to be linked with a move away from the club.
Benfica, on the other hand, have been an excellent side this season under the management of Roger Schmidt. Despite selling star midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January to Chelsea, Benfica have not skipped a beat domestically, and some of their European performances were lauded as well.
Like Sporting, though, the club will likely sell key players this summer. Goncalo Ramos looks likely to leave, as does Alex Grimaldo. Young centre-back Antonio Silva has been attracting the interest of top European clubs as well.
A close game is on the cards, with a draw likely.
Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Benfica
Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Game to have over / under 2.5 goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Benfica to score first - Yes
