Although there are nearly 20 teams in the Primeira Liga--18 to be exact--the biggest three are arguably Sporting, Benfica, and Porto. Each of these three clubs have produced some of the world's biggest talents and so any clash between them is something that Portuguese football fans across the world eagerly anticipate.
Sporting Lisbon currently sit in third place, just one behind Porto but seven behind Benfica. Nonetheless, the Leões are currently enjoying a great run of form that has seen them win their last five games on the trot. A victory over the Águias would certainly bring Marco Silva's men back into the title race and would be the first time since April 9, 2012 that they have beaten their bitter rivals in an official match.
Interestingly, althoug the hosts have just lost once so far in the 2014/2015 campaign, a series of stuttering draws during the earlier part of the season have prevented them from being higher placed in the table. Fans will definitely be pleased that top marksman Islam Slimani will be back in action after Algeria exited the AFCON tournament and Nani is also ready to feature after serving out his ban. And they will hope to keep up their unbeaten run of 10 games (8 wins, 2 draws) that started following their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Vitória de Guimarães in November.
Meanwhile, Jorge Jesus's side, while enjoying dominance in their domestic campaign have experienced disappointment continentally. A fourth-placed finish in the group stages of the Champions League means no Europa League for them and so now they will have to hope to retain their league crown. Still, in their last five matches, they have only conceded one solitary goal, which was during their surprise loss to Paços de Ferreira back on January 26th.
Despite the shock reversal, Benfica still boast one of the best defensive records in Europe's biggest leagues, with just eight conceded over 19 matches. In fact, the loss this past January was the first defeat since October 26 when they were overcome 2-1 by Braga. Additionally, prior to the defeat, the reigning league champions had been on a fantastic run of seven games, outscoring their opponents 18 to nil. The last goal conceded before January was back in November 2014 when they nonetheless defeated Nacional 2-1.
The Derby da Capital will definitely be one not to miss later today. Benfica have won 128 of the meetings between these two sides, but will they make it 129? Or will Sporting make it 11 straight games sans defeat as the title race heats up?
Tune in to find out!
Sporting Lisbon vs. Benfica team sheets
Sporting's starting XI: R. Patricio, Cédric, Tobias, P. Oliveria, Jefferson, William, João Mário, Adrien, Carrillo, Nani, Montero
Benfica's starting XI: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu; Samaris, André Almeida; Ola John, Salvio; Jonas, Lima
Benfica's bench: Paulo Lopes, Lisandro López, Gonçalo Guedes, Cristante, Talisca, Pizzi, Derley
