Preview: Sporting Lisbon vs. Benfica - prediction, team news, lineups

The Eagles will win the title if they match or better Porto's result against Famalicao on Saturday, but the Lions will be desperate to delay their foes' title celebrations for a little while longer.

Match preview

Having trailed Maritimo since the 10th minute, Sporting looked destined to suffer a shock home defeat to the relegation strugglers last time out, but an 85th-minute Matheus Costa own goal set up a grandstand finish before Sebastian Coates scored the winner deep into added time.

Thanks to last weekend's comeback victory, the Lions head into Sunday's showdown on a four-match winning streak, and they have also avoided defeat in each of their previous 12 league encounters, picking up 10 victories along the way.

In truth, Sporting have been performing at a seriously high level for months, recording 13 wins, three draws and one defeat across their past 17 Primeira Liga clashes, but the relentless form of Benfica, Porto and Braga means that Ruben Amorim's side find themselves four points shy of the top three.

The Lions have finished outside of the top three in just one of the previous nine seasons, winning the title in 2020-21, but they look set to miss out on a Champions League berth this time around after struggling to keep pace with the frontrunners.

That said, Sporting boast a strong home record this season, having won 13 of their 16 league matches at Estadio Jose Alvalade, while Amorim's men have also conceded the fewest number of home goals in the Primeira Liga, so they will back themselves to keep Benfica quiet on Sunday.

Benfica took another step towards sealing a 38th top-flight title as they claimed a dominant 5-1 victory at Portimonense last weekend, with Croatian striker Petar Musa coming off the bench to bag a two-minute brace and enhance the scoreline late on.

As a result, the Eagles find themselves four points clear of second-placed Porto with two matches remaining, meaning that a first Primeira Liga title since 2018-19 is within reach, despite the best efforts of the Dragons.

Like Sporting, Benfica have won each of their last four games, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and they have also clinched 14 victories in their previous 16 league outings, achieving 12 shutouts to enhance their unrivalled defensive record.

When you look at the bigger picture, Roger Schmidt's men have suffered a measly three defeats in 32 Primeira Liga matches this season, securing 27 wins along the way, so there is no denying that Benfica deserve to win the title.

Having won 13 of their 16 away league games this term - keeping 12 clean sheets on the road - Benfica will be confident of picking up a positive result and wrapping up the title in their arch-rivals' backyard for good measure.

Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

W

W

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

W

W

W

Benfica form (all competitions):

L

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Sporting will be without the suspended Antonio Adan after the goalkeeper received a red card last time out, meaning that Franco Israel will deputise between the sticks for the hosts.

The Lions also have Jovane Cabral and Jeremiah St Juste sidelined through injury, while midfielder Daniel Braganca is a doubt for Sunday's clash as he continues to nurse a knee issue.

Hector Bellerin and Arthur will continue to occupy the wing-back roles, with Marcus Edwards and Francisco Trincao supporting striker Paulinho, who has bagged 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season.

As for Benfica, they are still without German midfielder Julian Draxler, who has not featured since February due to an ongoing ankle injury.

With 26 goals and 12 assists to his name this term, 21-year-old sensation Goncalo Ramos will continue to lead the line for the Eagles, while David Neres, Rafa Silva and Joao Mario will operate behind the striker.

Chiquinho and Joao Neves are expected to anchor the midfield, with Morto and Antonio Silva likely to resume their partnership at centre-back.

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Israel; Diomande, Coates, Reis; Bellerin, Ugarte, Goncalves, Arthur; Edwards, Trincao; Paulinho

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Aursnes, Silva, Morato, Grimaldo; Neves, Chiquinho; Mario, Silva, Neres; Ramos

We say: Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Benfica

Sunday's showdown is destined to be a lively encounter between two fierce rivals, so we expect Sporting and Benfica to serve up an entertaining draw at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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