Benfica v Sporting

• The last Derby de Lisboa was no more than two weeks ago, culminating in a 1-1 draw that effectively handed the title to Sporting.

• Viktor Gyokeres has scored at least one goal in nine of his last 12 matches and averaged 1.25 per 90 in the league this season.

• Benfica haven’t managed a single Derby de Lisboa win across their last six attempts, drawing three and losing three.

• Both teams have scored in eight of the last nine meetings between these sides.

All indications suggest that neutrals could be in for a treat as Benfica face off with Sporting Lisbon in the Taça de Portugal.

It was Sporting who reigned victorious this season, winning the Portuguese top-flight and in pretty spectacular fashion.

These sides clashed not long ago, on the penultimate matchday of the Primeira Liga, with it all to play for.

Although it wasn’t technically definitive, the whole of Portugal knew that Benfica had to claim all three points in order to keep their title hopes alive and derail their fierce rivals, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home, falling short when it mattered most.

Sunday presents a shot at redemption for Benfica, but it also carries the looming threat of a potentially crushing defeat.

⭐ Benfica v Sporting Predictions and Best Bets

Backing Sporting Lisbon to win either half at 1.91 seems to have been priced very generously given their track record. They’ve managed to achieve this in each of their last 12 games, including one against none other than Benfica themselves. Looking a bit further back, Sporting have brought this selection home in six of their previous eight Derby de Lisboa’s.

If Sporting are to bag a few goals, as their form and record against Benfica would suggest, backing Gyokeres to find the back of the net at 2.4 looks like superb value. The forward has bagged at least one goal in nine of his last 12 matches and averaged 1.25 per 90 in the league this season. Given this is likely to be his final match in a Sporting shirt, he’ll be even more motivated to find a way onto the scoresheet.

🔴 Benfica Unable to Topple Sporting Despite Unbeaten Run

Despite not being able to clinch the title, Benfica boast a superb run of form, having remained unbeaten across each of their last 15 domestic clashes.

Of these games, Benfica have dropped points in only three, although that includes draws in both of their last two, the first against Sporting, and more recently against Braga in the season finale.

They also made a strong impression in the Champions League, deservedly knocking out Monaco after winning the away leg and recording an exciting 3-3 draw at home.

Although they were ultimately eliminated by Barcelona, they delivered a spirited home display, outperforming their illustrious opponents on xG, accumulating 1.75 to Barça’s 1.12.

🟢 Gyokeres Aims to Propel Sporting towards Historic Double

Sporting boast an even more impressive unbeaten streak of 21 domestic clashes, with 14 of those games seeing them come out on top.

Additionally, when they do win, they tend to do so comfortably, with 11 of their last 13 victories being marked by a margin of at least two goals.

This had been largely aided by Gyökeres, who has been the driving force behind Sporting’s season, building on his breakout year with a sensational campaign that saw him net 39 league goals, over twice as many as his nearest Golden Boot rival.

The Swedish striker has bagged in nine of his last 12 games, and with Arsenal heavily linked with a summer move, he now has the chance to sign off in perfect fashion.

📊 Benfica v Sporting Head-to-Head Key Stats

Recent history hasn't been kind to Benfica in this fixture, going winless in their last six Lisbon derbies inside 90 minutes, managing three draws alongside three defeats.

As mentioned earlier, the most recent of these clashes was a defining factor in the campaigns of both sides, ending 1-1, and ultimately putting the title into the hands of Sporting.

That said, on that occasion Benfica were much the better side, creating 1.60 xG to Sporting’s 0.32.

Benfica conceded with the first shot of the game, and were broadly speaking, unable to make the most of their opportunities beyond that point, despite managing to draw level.

One notable trend in recent clashes between these two is the frequency of both teams finding the net. BTTS has landed in eight of the last nine encounters, and with plenty on the line again, there's every chance that pattern continues.

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.