Sporting CP - Benfica predictions and free betting tips [29/02/2024]

Today as part of the first semi-final match of the Portuguese Cup, Sporting will host Benfica on their home turf. Both clubs approach the Lisbon derby with extensive unbeaten streaks, so fans can expect a real clash!

Predicted lineups

Sporting: Israel; Diomande, Coates, Inácio; Katamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Edwards, Gyökeres, Gonçalves.
Benfica: Trubin; Ba, A. Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes; Kechku, Neves; Di Maria, Mario, Neres; R. Silva.

Sporting

Sporting approach the cup derby in fine form; the hosts shared points with Rio Ave (3:3) in the last round of the championship just a few days after a draw with Young Boys (1:1) in the second leg of the Europa League 1/16 finals. Fortunately for Sporting, they had solved the task of advancing seven days earlier in Switzerland (win 1:3). It should be noted that the green-and-white have been undefeated in all competitions since their fiasco in the national championship against Braga on 23rd January – and there have been 16 matches in which Ruben Amorim's charges claimed 13 victories. Despite Sporting's historical superiority and other representatives of the "big three" of Portuguese football, the “lions” have not won the country's main domestic cup tournament since 2019, and they hope to end this mini-drought this season.

Paulinho has distinguished himself three times in the current cup draw, but an Achilles' injury, which will keep him out until April, will prevent him from participating in the upcoming derby. Having left the field with an injury in the 40th minute of the last round's match, former Barça midfielder Trincão (6 goals, 3 assists) is also unlikely to make the green-and-whites' roster. However, Lisbon's personnel losses end there, as even Jeremiah Saint-Juste recently returned to the fold. We can expect to see Victor Gyökeres (17 goals, 8 assists, best championship scorer), Pedro Gonçalves (8 goals, 9 assists), Edwards, and Morita in action.

Benfica

The current leader of the Portuguese league, Benfica – the reigning champions of the country, and the “eagles” hope that they will be able to repeat this success in the current campaign and win the National Cup for the 27th time. Like their upcoming rivals, the red-whites advanced to the Europa League's 1/8 finals, defeating Toulouse, despite a weak performance in the second leg in France (2:1 in the home clash). Last weekend, the visitors clinched their second successive championship victory, thrashing Portimonense 4:0. Roger Schmidt's charges overcame Luzitania, Famalicão, Braga and Vizela in previous tournament rounds. It's important to note that Benfica has lost only one of their last 22 matches in all competitions – a penalty shoot-out defeat against Estoril in the League Cup.

With the upcoming 3rd March visit to Porto in mind, the German specialist is demanding maximum application from his players in the next few days to keep the chance of a two-pronged triumph alive. Benfica's line-up will be without Spanish left-back Bernat (on loan from PSG for this season), who is recovering in the hospital. As for the others, we'll definitely see Rafa Silva, who is enjoying a productive campaign (12 goals, 11 assists just in the championship), and Di Maria (8 goals, 6 assists) start. Arthur Cabral and João Mário are key performers in the Eagles' attack line, both will also appear on the field from the start.

Head-to-head

In the first round of the current championship, Benfica won the derby with a 2:1 margin.

Match prediction for the match Sporting – Benfica

The face-off between two leaders of the Portuguese championship promises to be riveting, and at home, the lions simply must seize victory if they want to keep their hope of reaching the finals alive. Sporting have maintained phenomenal form over the winter, and the two recent draws will merely infuriate the Lisbon giants' players. As for Benfica, they've only amassed five wins out of their last nine away games, prompting us to bank on a victory for the green-whites on Thursday evening.