Football Results

Last season, the city rivals have remained without a trophy because Porto was better in the championship, while Sporting lost the Cup finals from Aves. It is clear that both teams were very disappointing and they both want a lot more in the new season, so they started with two wins and it is interesting that they have the same goal difference at the moment. Benfica is playing the Champions League qualifiers and they have skipped one obstacle already, while both mutual duels between Benfica and Sporting Lisabon last season ended unresolved.

Benfica

Everything seemed almost perfect for Benfica, until the first match of the playoffs for placement in the group stage of the Champions League against PAOK from Salonika, but in that match they only played 1-1, which is not very promising before the rematch, where it will certainly not be easy because they are the guests. In the third qualifying round they had a tough opponent, the team from Fenerbahce, but they managed to eliminate them with a minimal victory at home and a draw as guests.

They have opened the new championship with two safe victories and that was what was expected from Benfica against Guimaraes and Boavista. Against PAOK, they had the lead they did not manage to keep, and it should be said that Salvio was not in the team, while goalkeeper Varela and striker Jonas are still out of action.

Probable lineups Benfica: Vlachodimos – Almeida, Jardel, Dias, Grimaldo – Fejsa, Fernandez – Rafa Silva, Pizzi, Cervi – Ferreyra

Sporting Lisabon

The disappointing last season has ended accordingly for Sporting, because they have lost the Cup finals against Aves. It was a good opportunity to save the season in the championship where they were eliminated early from the race for the title, and the situation was not much better in Europe. In the end, they have not even won the Cup, and the conclusion is that they practically could not do worse. They will play in Europa League this season, but it is clear that they also want to fight for the title in the championship. They started well and made two wins at the start, but they did not shine.

In the first round, they have received a goal against Moreirense, at the opening but they quickly equalized, and then they broke the resistance of the host in the finish, thanks to two goals by striker Dost. In the second round they have struggled with Setubal, but returnee Nani has played a major role with his two goals (2-1). Much has changed compared to last season and the biggest loss was the departure of midfielder W. Carvalho, but they have also lost goalkeeper Patricio, Piccini, Coentrao and Martins. They have also brought a lot of reinforcements and the last one is striker Diaby from Club Brugge, while their new coach is Jose Peseiro.

Probable lineups Sporting Lisabon: Salin – Ristovski, Coates, Mathieu, Jefferson – Battaglia, Wendel – Nani, Fernandes, Acuna – B.Dost

Verdict:

The pressure is not very big ahead of this derby because this is till the early stage of the championship, but of course both teams want to triumph and Benfica is closer to that, because they are playing in front of their supporters and they have not changed their team too much this summer like Sporting.

Pick: Benfica wins 1.91 - 91/100 @1XBet