Later today, two out of Portugal's "Big Three" will meet at the Estádio da Luz in the Primeira Liga's biggest clash of the season, known as O Classico. As Benfica prepare to welcome bitter rivals Porto to their home ground, this match, like countless others before it, could definitely determine who will be crowned Portugal's best team in just a few weeks.
As things stand, the Águias, who enjoy a three point advantage could move one step closer to retaining their league crown with a win or even a draw. The last time the Lisbon powerhouse did so was during the 1982/1983 and 1983/1984 campaigns, and after a disappointing spell in Europe that saw them disappoint in the Champions League, they would go a long way in making amends to their devoted fans by clinching their 34th domestic title, which would again set a new record in Portuguese football.
Could this edition of O Classico decide the Primeira Liga title race? How Benfica and Porto compare:
Since surging to the top of the league table after round five, Jorge Jesus's men have been sitting pretty at the summit for the entire campaign. At home, they have been perfect in league action, with no defeats and one draw - to Sporting Lisbon - back on August 31st on matchday three.
Interestingly, whilst the onus will be on Benfica to preserve their perfect home record, Porto, too, will be feeling quite a bit of pressure. It has been nothing short of a turbulent past week and a half for the Dragões. Just 11 days ago, Julen Lopetegui's men were feeling like kings of the world (of football).
They had, against all odds, successfully outclassed and outplayed Bayern Munich at home and had fans as well as neutrals hoping that a highly unanticipated upset was on the cards after their Champions League quarter-finals first leg finished 3-1. This also happened to be their first ever home win over die Roten in their history.
Porto will come into this match still reeling following their unfortunate humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich
However, they were taught a harsh lesson in not angering the "German Machine" as Bayern showed their ruthless nature by dismantling them in a 6-1 battering in Munich six days later. As such, they will be licking their wounds and still smarting from their heavy loss - their joint-worst result ever alongside a painful loss to Greek outfit AEK Athens during the 1978/1979 European Cup - just a few days prior to this eagerly awaited derby.
Yet, such is the nature of football and fans will expect them to quickly regroup if they wish to knock their bitter rivals off their perch.
Naturally, it will not be easy. Even a win will not be enough to dislodge Benfica, unless if Porto manage to beat them by at least four goals. The last time they managed to achieve this was back on November 7, 2010, when they hammered their derby rivals in a 5-0 thrashing at the Estádio do Dragão.
Nonetheless, the thought of finishing the season sans a single trophy, having now been thwarted in Europe will definitely be a driving point for the visitors. And, they will hope that talismanic striker Jackson Martinez, who has been linked with a move away this summer and netted a consolation goal in Munich, will be on top of his game as their go-to-man in attack.
Porto are no strangers to ruining Benfica's party. They did so, much to the chagrin of Benfiquistas during the 2011/2012 season and repeated it again the subsequent term. Still, with Argentinian star Nico Gaitán working his magic, coupled with, as mentioned before, their impressive home record and lack of exertions in Europe, it is the hosts who are looking like slight favourites to take one step closer towards making sure that the league title remains in the nation's capital for yet another season.
With the class and history of these two Portuguese giants, the latest edition of O Classico is definitely not one fans and neutrals alike would want to miss!
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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