The latest installment of O’Classico sees Porto welcome Benfica to Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday as the two most successful clubs in the Taca de Portugal battle for a place in the semi-finals.
Twenty-time winners of the competition, the Dragons have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, lifting the trophy four times in the last six campaigns, though their run in the previous edition ended in a disappointing fourth-round exit.
This term, Francesco Farioli’s side reached this stage by dispatching Celoricense, Sintrense and Famalicao in earlier rounds, and they enter Wednesday’s encounter in explosive form, having won each of their last seven games.
Porto’s most recent outing was a narrow victory at Santa Clara in their first match of 2026, leaving the Dragons six points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table. All focus now turns to the Taca de Portugal, with the ambition of a domestic double still firmly in place.
Ten points adrift of the league summit and already out of the Taca da Liga following last week’s semi-final defeat to Braga, the Portuguese Cup stands as Benfica’s only realistic chance of adding another piece of silverware to the Super Cup they lifted earlier this season.
The Eagles have lifted the Taca de Portugal 26 times, though they have not won the competition since 2016–17 and will aim to go one better than last season, when they lost in the final to city rivals Sporting Lisbon.
How the bookies view it: Porto have the edge?
The bookmakers have installed Porto as favourites, though the margin is not overwhelming. An outright win in regulation time is priced at 6/5 on Ladbrokes, with Benfica available at 2/1, which is the same as the odds for a draw.
Head-to-head: Recent success for Benfica
Benfica are unbeaten in the last three meetings between the sides, winning two and recording a goalless draw in the most recent encounter in October last year. Meanwhile, the Eagles’s last meeting with Porto in the Taca de Liga ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat at this same stage and venue in December 2021.
Players to watch: Samu Agehowa vs Vangelis Pavlidis – who will reign supreme?
Samu Agehowa has been in prolific form, scoring nine goals in his last seven matches. The Spanish international heads into this clash in high spirits, having scored twice in his previous three appearances in this fixture.
Vangelis Pavlidis, meanwhile, has netted eight times in his last five outings for Benfica and comes into the tie full of confidence, having scored a hat-trick in one of his previous two visits to the Dragao.
Probable lineups
Francisco Moura limped off last time out and is a doubt for Porto, while Luuk de Jong (knee), Nehuen Perez (Achilles) and Tomas Perez (Achilles) are confirmed absentees. Zaidu Sanusi is still away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Benfica boss Mourinho faces a dilemma in defence following the suspension of Nicolas Otamendi, who was sent off last time out. Antonio Silva is doubtful after missing the last two matches. Other absentees include Alexander Bah, Nuno Felix, Bruma, Dodi Lukebakio and Samuel Soares, while Enzo Barrenechea may miss a third straight game.
Porto (4-3-3): C. Ramos; Fernandes, Kiwior, Bednarek, A. Costa; Froholdt, Rosario, Mora; Pepe, Samu, Sainz
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, T. Araujo, A. Silva, Dahl; Rios, M. Silva; Sudakov, Barreiro, Aursnes; Pavlidis
Anything else that catches the eye?
Porto have scored first in each of their last 12 games across all competitions. Backed by momentum and home support, they are expected to seize the initiative, making the 17/20 on Ladbrokes for Porto to score first appealing.
The Dragons have also been prolific at the Dragao, netting at least twice in seven of their last nine home matches. With Benfica looking shaky defensively, the 7/5 on Ladbrokes for Porto to score over 1.5 goals appears appealing.
Two of the last three meetings between the sides have seen goals at both ends. Benfica have also scored and conceded in each of their last three matches, making the 9/10 on Bet365 for both teams to score excellent value.
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