Porto vs Benfica
, KO: 20:30 , Estadio do Dragao
Every fixture is a title decider for Benfica, who have been chasing Sporting CP since the start of the season. This trip to Porto could not have come at a more difficult period.
This is the type of match that will have you glued to the screen, especially if you know what's at stake. Benfica finally managed to close the gap to Sporting. Both title contenders sit with 65 points after 27 rounds and from now on, every single point counts. Then we have Porto, who have had a tough 2025 so far.
The Dragons sit in 3rd place, which grants a spot in the Europa League, but Braga have the same amount of points. Which means that this match could have a decisive role for the ambitions and hopes of both sides.
The troubling part is that Porto needed three months to get back-to-back victories in 2025 and now have to face the strongest team in the league. Benfica won nine of their last 10 matches in Liga Portugal, including the last eight in a row.
How the bookies view it: The Eagles have a slight edge
Bookmakers give the Eagles a minimal advantage but the odds remain very close. You can pick Porto at 2/1 or Benfica at 7/5. The draw is always a possibility, although it rarely happens between these teams, and is available at 11/5.
Recent head to head: This rivalry is pure cinema
As one of the legendary derbies in Portuguese football, this rivalry never fails to entertain and the last couple of games are the perfect example. Benfica won the reverse fixture this season 4-1 but lost the equivalent of this match 5-0 last season. There is never any guarantee which team will come out on top. Porto have five wins in the last 10 H2Hs and Benfica have four.
Players to watch: Di Maria is back to punish Porto again
Angel Di Maria seems to be getting better as he ages and he has been particularly special in the matches against Porto in recent years. Di Maria has scored four goals in the last four matches against the Dragons, including a brace in the reverse fixture earlier this season. He came back from his long-time injury with a goal against Gil Vicente last week and we expect him to be back in the starting line up against Porto.
Probable line-ups
Porto: Costa, Perez, Marcano, Pedro, Moura, Varela, Eustaquio, Mario, Mora, Aghehowa, Vieira
Benfica: Trubin, Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Araujo, Florentino, Kokcu, Akturkoglu, Aursnes, Di Maria, Pavlidis
Anything else catch the eye?
Picking a winner here is virtually impossible. Yes, Porto have not been in the most competitive form when compared to their rivals. But Benfica have only won twice at Estadio do Dragao in the past decade. And Porto are the only team in Liga Portugal that remains undefeated at home this season. Even Sporting failed at this stadium. But then again, the Eagles crushed Porto 4-1 in the reverse fixture this season.
We have to back the tie in this clash. There has indeed been a deficit in draws between these teams in recent years but this feels like the exact moment for this result. Benfica will control the pace but Porto are the best defensive side in the league. The Dragons have only conceded five goals in 13 home games this season. Their overall goal difference is 30:5. We believe that there is a high potential for a 1-1 final score here.
This match between Porto and Benfica will be played on and kick off at 20:30. Check below for our tipsters best Porto vs Benfica prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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