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Benfica will welcome arch-rivals Sporting to the Estádio da Luz in an exciting Primeira Liga clash on Friday. The visitors are second in the league table and have a three-point lead over the third-placed Eagles.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions. They made it three wins in three games last week, defeating Nacional 2-1 in the league. Gianluca Prestianni equalized in the 89th minute, and a stoppage-time winner from Vangelis Pavlidis helped them secure a comeback win.
Leões are unbeaten across all competitions since early October. They extended their winning streak in all competitions to four games last week, with a 4-0 home triumph over Estrela da Amadora. Defenders Eduardo Quaresma and Iván Fresneda scored in the first half, while Luis Javier Suárez bagged a brace.
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Benfica vs Sporting Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams contest the Derby de Lisboa and have met 325 times in all competitions. The hosts have the upper hand in the head-to-head record with 139 wins. Leões have 116 wins, and 70 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors were unbeaten in their two league meetings against their local rivals last season. They registered a home win, and the reverse fixture ended in a draw.
- They last met in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira earlier this season, and Benfica registered a 1-0 away win.
- Sporting have a 100% away record in the Primeira Liga this season.
- Four of the last five meetings between them have produced under 2.5 goals.
- As Águias have scored 12 goals in their last four league games.
- The visitors have kept four clean sheets in their last six games across all competitions. Interestingly, they have conceded one goal in each of their two away games in that period.
Benfica vs Sporting Prediction
As Águias have scored two goals apiece in their last four games and will look to continue that goalscoring form here. They have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga this season, conceding just seven goals in 12 games.
José Mourinho will be without the services of Dodi Lukebakio, as the Belgian winger underwent surgery earlier this week. Alexander Bah and Bruma are also unavailable, while Henrique Araújo is a doubt after being absent against Nacional last week.
Leões are on an 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, recording nine wins. They have scored 10 goals without conceding in their last three games. Interestingly, both of Sporting's wins in the last seven league meetings between the sides have been registered at home.
Nuno Santos, Daniel Bragança, Zeno Koen Debast, and Fotis Ioannidis are confirmed absentees for the visitors. Gonçalo Inácio and Iván Fresneda face late fitness tests.
As Águias have lost just one of their last nine Primeira Liga home meetings against the visitors, and should make the most of their home advantage to eke out a narrow win here.
Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Sporting
Benfica vs Sporting Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Benfica to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes
Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
