Benfica vs Sporting CP
, KO: 18:00 Jan 15, 2023, Estadio da Luz
Benfica continue their impressive 2022-23 campaign as they host rivals Sporting CP in the Lisbon derby on Sunday. While the derby is usually a closely fought encounter, Benfica have been the team to beat this season and should have too much for Sporting, who have been erratic on their travels.
Benfica were near perfect in the first half of the season, going on a 24 match unbeaten run across all competitions that included 20 wins. They qualified top of a Champions League group that had PSG and Juventus and currently hold a six point lead at the summit of the Primeira Liga.
The Eagles suffered a slight setback immediately after the restart as they were beaten 3-0 at second placed Sporting Braga. However, they have since returned to winning ways, claiming a 1-0 victory over Portimonense in their previous Primeira Liga fixture before easing past Liga 3 side Varzim 2-0 in the Taca de Portugal with Enzo Fernandez among the goals.
The victory over Portimonense maintains Benfica’s fine record at the Estadio da Luz, where they are unbeaten this season. Roger Schmidt’s men have won their last six home matches across all competitions, a run that includes a 4-3 Champions League victory over Juventus and a 5-0 hammering of Chaves in a Primeira Liga fixture.
Sporting CP have blown hot and cold this season and are currently fourth on the table, 12 points behind leaders Benfica. They head into Sunday’s clash off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Maritimo in their previous Primeira Liga fixture.
The good news for Sporting is that they had slowly picked up their form prior to the defeat at Maritimo having claimed six straight wins across all competitions. A 5-0 hammering of second placed Sporting Braga is among their results in that run and manager Ruben Amorim will be targeting a similar performance at Benfica.
However, the problem is their away record as they have been erratic for much of the season. They have claimed just three wins from their last nine matches on the road across all competitions, suffering five defeats in that run.
How the bookies view it
Benfica are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 5/6 by Betfred. A win for Sporting CP is valued at 7/2 by Coral while SBK is offering odds of 29/10 for a draw.
Head to head
Benfica have a 32-21 advantage with 17 draws from 70 previous matches against Sporting CP. They also claimed a 2-0 victory in the last meeting between both sides back in April 2022.
Players to watch
Goncalo Ramos has caught the eye this season with a string of fine performances and a hat-trick at the World Cup. The striker is the leading scorer for Benfica with nine Primeira Liga goals and could be backed to get on the score sheet on Sunday at 13/10 with Paddy Power.
Sporting CP will be looking to Paulinho to maintain his fine recent form and provide the spark in attack. The forward has found the net seven times in his last six appearances and is priced at 5/2 by bet365 to get on the score sheet once again.
Anything else catch the eye?
Benfica and Sporting CP have plenty of attacking quality and both teams could be backed to score at 3/4 with bet365. There have been over 2.5 goals in three of the last four meetings and a repeat is valued at 4/5 with William Hill while over 3.5 goals is priced at 21/10 by BetVictor.
Benfica have scored in both halves in four of their last five Primeira Liga home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 8/5 with Paddy Power.
This match between Benfica and Sporting CP will be played on Jan 15, 2023 and kick off at 18:00. Check below for our tipsters best Benfica vs Sporting CP prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
