Benfica vs Sporting CP: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

First Derby de Lisboa of the season kicks off before November break

The home side are coming off a sad and enduring trip from Spain. It was matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League fixture against LaLiga participant club Real Sociedad. The Whites and Blues from Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain won 3-1 to end any further chances of Benfica making it to the Round of 16. Sadly the UCL journey ends for The Eagles.

However, The Eagles have a chance to go into the November international break as the Liga Portugal leaders. Current leaders Sporting CP are set to visit this Monday to participate in the first Derby de Lisboa of the season. The game will be held at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica. If the Lions of Lisbon, Portugal, get struck with defeat, Benfica can swap positions with them to end matchday 11 as league leaders.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 12 November 2023 at 8:30 PM UK

Monday, 13 November 2023 at 2:00 AM IST

Location: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Form

Benfica (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-L

Sporting CP (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-D

Players to Watch

Ángel Di María (Benfica)

The Argentinian winger has played for a host of big-name clubs in his career before rejoining Benfica. This includes Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. Even at 35, Ángel Di María is deadly with his crafty crosses and style of play. In 8 league games in Portugal, Di María has tallied 2 assists and 5 goals to his name.

Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP)

Last season while Viktor Gyökeres played for Coventry City in the EFL Championship, he scored 21 league goals. The forward was a key part in The Sky Blues’ journey to the 2022-23 playoffs final where they eventually lost to Luton Town in a penalty shoot-out. Gyökeres moved to Sporting CP this July. So far in 9 Liga Portugal games, he has 6 goals and 4 assists.

Match Facts

• Sporting can keep their top spot even with a draw while Benfica have to win to clinch the first spot if they want to do so before heading into the November international break
• Both sides are coming out of European Matchday 4 actions. Benfica were humbled in the home of Real Sociedad as they lost 3-1 in UCL. Sporting recorded a 2-1 UEFA Europa League home win over Poland’s Raków Częstochowa
• Last Derby de Lisboa action ended in a 2-2 draw on 22 May 2023

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Injury & Team News

For Roger Schmidt’s Benfica the injuries are a bit more pronounced than that of Sporting CP at the moment. Thigh injuries have put both Alexander Bah and Orkun Kökcü out and will not be featuring before the November break. Influential winger David Neres might make his return by the end of this year.

For Sporting CP, not many injuries to deal with. And no suspended players either. They will be going into the game with better confidence. Head coach Rúben Amorim only will be without 22-year-old winger Geny Catamo. Catamo is sidelined due to muscle injury.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 35

Benfica wins – 17

Sporting CP wins – 9

Draws – 9

Predicted Lineup

Benfica predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Trubin (GK); A. Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Neves, Luis, Mario, Aursnes; Di Maria, Guedes, R. Silva

Sporting CP predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Adan (GK); Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Braganca, Santos; Edwards, Gyökeres, Goncalves

Match Prediction for Benfica vs Sporting CP

The first action-packed fixture of Derby de Lisboa of the season is set to be officiated by Artur Soares Dias. It is the biggest game in Liga Portugal. Both sides currently occupy the first two positions in the pack. It is hard to resist home backing not having a good effect on the Benfica players. After failing to keep themselves in UCL, a win will be a good response for the fans.

Prediction: Benfica 2-0 Sporting CP

Telecast for Benfica vs Sporting CP

India – No telecast

UK – BT Sport

US –  GOLTV

Nigeria – No telecast

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