Benfica vs Sporting Prediction and Betting Tips

This season's third edition of Derby de Lisboa will decide the Liga Portugal title, as Benfica host Sporting in the penultimate round with both teams having 78 points each.

These are the types of moments that make us fall in love with the game. The two most decorated teams in the country face off with the title on the line. Their performances this season have been near-identical, with the only difference between them being the three additional goals that Sporting have scored.

The teams already exchanged a win each this season but are scheduled to meet two more times. This match will decide the league title, and their next clash later this month will be in the Taca de Portugal final. One of these teams could end the season with a double, given that they win both matches.

In terms of current form, there is nothing to separate these teams. Both sides have nine wins in their last 10 fixtures in all competitions. Both sides score over 2.5 goals per match on average. Moreover, they have even conceded the same number of goals (26). You can't make this up. Let's go through the odds.

How the bookies view it: The hosts always have an advantage

Bookmakers always give the home side the edge whenever these teams meet but the odds are never too far apart. Currently, you can pick Benfica at 11/10, while Sporting are available at 23/10. Alternatively, the draw is also an option at 5/2.

Recent head to head: Both sides won once this season

While Sporting have had more success in the most recent H2Hs, Benfica won the last encounter, which was in the League Cup final. But of course, it wasn't a straightforward win and it was decided on penalties. In turn, Sporting won the reverse fixture in the league in December (1-0). The Lions won three of the last five H2Hs.

Players to watch: Gyokeres is special

Viktor Gyokeres might be playing his last games for Sporting and if he has decided to leave, he would want to leave it all out on the pitch in the next few weeks. The phenomenal Swede has 38 goals in Liga Portugal this season in 31 appearances. He scored Sporting's only goal in the Cup defeat in January and also gave the assist for the winning goal in the reverse fixture in December. You can't stop him. He has 18 goal contributions in his last 10 appearances.

Probable line-ups

Benfica: Trubin, Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Araujo, Florentino, Kokcu, Maria, Aursnes, Akturkoglu, Pavlidis

Sporting: Silva, Quaresma, Debast, Inacio, Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Araujo, Pote, Gyokeres, Trincao

Anything else catch the eye?

This is the fixture you don't want to miss this weekend. Benfica and Sporting always produce wild spectacles and this one will be just as tense. We will definitely try our luck with the goal markets, at least the BTTS option. Eight of the last 10 H2Hs ended with at least one goal per side, while 7/10 featured more than three goals.

There is also a very strong chance this ends level, especially since Benfica won only one of the last five H2Hs and also just once in their last five times as hosts of the Derby de Lisboa. There is also a strong chance we see a serious number of bookings, which is a common scenario between these teams. If we had to pick a final scoreline, it would be 2-2.

This match between Benfica and Sporting will be played on and kick off at 18:00. Check below for our tipsters best Benfica vs Sporting prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.

Benfica vs Sporting Betting Tips & Predictions