Primeira Liga | Gameweek 16

Dec 29, 2024 at 8.30pm UK

Estadio Jose Alvalade

Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica

Match preview

Sporting Lisbon suffered another disappointing result last Sunday as they were held to a goalless draw by Gil Vicente at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos after a wasteful display in front of goal.

Despite enjoying over 60% of possession and creating a number of clear-cut chances, the visitors were unable to beat an inspired Andrew between the sticks for Gil Vicente as they settled for a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Sporting had avoided embarrassment in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal on 18 December, when they needed a 115th-minute strike from Viktor Gyokeres to claim a 2-1 extra-time victory over Santa Clara at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

With last weekend's stalemate, the Leoes have now failed to win five of their last seven games in all competitions - losing four and drawing one - a run that has seen Joao Pereira sacked from his role as coach.

Sporting Lisbon have taken 37 points from their 15 Primeira Liga games to sit second in the standings, level on points with third-placed Porto and one behind Sunday's visitors.

Benfica, on the other hand, made light work of Estoril Praia on Monday, cruising to a 3-0 victory over the Canarinhos when the two sides met at the Estadio da Luz.

Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 28th minute to put As Aguias in front, before Swiss international Zeki Amdouni came off the bench to score twice in a dominant display that condemned the visitors to a seventh league defeat.

Benfica have now gone nine games without defeat in all competitions, winning seven and drawing two since losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in November, and currently sit 15th in the standings with 10 points from six games.

This fine run of form has also seen Bruno Lage's men book their place in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal with an emphatic 7-0 win over Estrela Amadora at the Estadio da Luz on 23 November.

While Benfica will be looking to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table this weekend, they have failed to win their three meetings with Sporting in all competitions this year, losing twice and drawing once.

Recent Performance

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:WWLLWD

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):LLLWWD

Benfica Primeira Liga form:WWWDWW

Benfica form (all competitions):WWDDWW

Team News

Following Pereira's departure, Sporting Lisbon have signed Rui Borges from Vitoria de Guimaraes and the 43-year-old will be looking to hit the ground running at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

On the injury front, the Leoes will be without the services of Daniel Braganca (muscle), Hidemasa Morita (thigh) and Pedro Goncalves (muscle).

Goncalo Inacio has missed the last four games since picking up an injury against Moreirense on 5 December, and the 23-year-old defender is ruled out of the home game.

Nuno Santos is also continuing his long journey back to full fitness after suffering a knee injury in October, and the 29-year-old striker is also ruled out of this weekend's clash.

Benfica, meanwhile, will be without 23-year-old striker Tiago Gouveia, who has been sidelined since picking up a shoulder injury against Estrela Amadora in August.

He is joined on the club's injury list by fellow Portuguese Renato Sanches, who has missed the last eight games since picking up a muscle problem in November.

Possible starting lineup

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Israel; Debast, Diomande, Quaresma; Quenda, Simoes, Hjulmand, Araujo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Harder

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Araujo, Bah, Silva, Carreras; Aursnes, Kokcu; Di Maria, Akturkoglu, Beste; Pavlidis