Benfica vs Sporting CP Prediction: This Time Around The Lisbon Derby Has Room For One Victor!

The Lisbon derby witnesses Benfica hosting Sporting CP at the Estádio da Luz for the 16th matchday of the Primeira Liga with the goal of consolidating their first-place position in the standings.

Will Sporting CP be able to overcome their poor away form and return to winning ways, or will they be served another disappointing result on the road?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Benfica vs Sporting CP, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Benfica

Form: WLWWW

Roger Schmidt's closed the 2022 chapter in the Primeira Liga campaign with a disappointing 3:0 defeat at the hands of Braga on the road, but they later made amends with a 1:0 victory over Portimonense, with Joao Mario's penalty in that match sealing all three points for them.

They then went on to dismantle the charges of underdogs Varzim in the Taca de Portugal this past mid-week, cruising to a comfortable 2:0 victory with goals from Alex Grimaldo and Enzo Fernandez securing a place in the semi-finals.

Their form in the Primeira Liga has been consistent; in their last five games, they have only suffered one defeat. At home, they have won all of their last six matches across all competitions, and have yet to drop a point.

They currently hold the top spot, in the standings, 40 points, and have maintained a healthy lead of 6 points over Braga, who are in second place. As they look to defeat their opponent in this matchup, they will hope to increase the lead by another 3 points.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Ristic; Luis, Fernandez, Chiquinho; Mario, Draxler, Ramos

Sporting CP

Form: LWWWL

Dominance in ball possession has not been the epicenter of success in matches, as was the case for the Green and Whites, who had 66% ball possession in their recent road game against Maritimo, registering 10 shots at goal with one finding the target but not converting to a goal as they fell to a 1:0 defeat due to a penalty awarded and later converted by Claudio Winck in the 56th minute.

Prior to that, they had won 3:0 at home against Pacos Ferreira in the Primeira Liga, and this comes after two consecutive 5:0 victories over Braga and Maritimo in the Taca de Liga, where they've booked their spot in the semi-final, where they'll face Arouca on the road, a side that served them with a 1:0 defeat a year back.

In their last five games, they've earned 9 points from two defeats and three victories. It has been an unfortunate ordeal for them as they've struggled on the road, where they've managed just three victories from 9 games and have dropped 17 points. It's likely that the dark cloud that has been looming over them when playing on the road will be seen in this match as well, as they try to end their road woes.

They have suffered five losses in their first 15 games of the season and are currently in fourth place with 28 points, 12 points behind first place, and just outside the top three.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Adan; Inacio, Coates, Reis; Porro, Ugarte, Fernandes, Gomes; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao

Match Facts

• Benfica has won six consecutive home games.
• In the Primeira Liga, Sporting CP has scored in five of their eight away games.
• The average number of goals scored in a match between Benfica and Sporting CP is 3.4.
• When playing at home, Benfica averages 2.38 goals per game, while Sporting CP averages 1.68 goals per game away.

Head-To-Head

Benfica has won 25 of the last 57 meetings; Sporting CP has won 17, and there have been 15 draws with a goal difference of 81-64 in favor of Benfica.

Expert Betting Tips

Benfica are the overwhelming favorites to win this match due to their consistent form against Sporting CP, who are currently struggling on the road. 

There is no other outcome expected here other than a home win because they are in a better position to do so, and we believe they will take advantage of their opponents' poor road record to secure all three points and add insult to injury. However, they should proceed with caution because this match could go sideways, leaving them on the wrong side of the fence with nothing but a loss.

As a result, we believe Benfica will win this game in the full-time market.

• W1 for 1.74
• Total (Yellow cards) - Under 6.5 for 2.05
• Goals - Under 2.5 for 1.90