For Portuguese football fans, the big game of this round will be Benfica taking on Porto in the second "Classico" of the 2015/2016 campaign. Having lost the first one earlier this season, Benfica will be eager for revenge against their bitter rivals as they hope to keep their distance between themselves and their fellow title competitors.
Benfica
All but one of Benfica's three defeats this season have been against fellow "Big Three" sides, with Arouca snatching all three points in the earlier stages of this campaign. They were unable to score against Porto (a 1-0 loss) and Sporting CP (a 3-0 reversal), but since then, save for one draw, Rui Vitoria's side have been in top form.
The Eagles will be coming into this game having cruised to a comfortable victory over Belenenses, which saw Greek international Konstantinos Mitroglou grab a hat-trick whilst the team's top goalscorer Jonas added a brace for his 22nd and 23rd league goals of this season.
Indeed, so prolific has Jonas been for the reigning Primeira Liga champions that one would be hard pressed to find a game that he has not managed to score in and his manager will be relying on the veteran Brazilian attacker to again lead the line in Friday's big game.
Of note is Benfica's solid home form, which has seen them win 23 out of their past 25 matches at their own stadium. Additionally, October 25th was the last time the Eagles were defeated; since then, they have put together a 13 match winning streak that has helped them to build a six-point cushion between themselves and fellow title rivals Porto, but they still have Sporting CP hot on their tails and will not want to drop points in this crunch tie.
Given the tough task he inherited after Jorge Jesus's departure, Vitoria has probably won over some of the Benfica support, especially with the team's uptick in performance over the past few months. There have been some hiccups as they were defeated yet again by Sporting CP in a cup clash last year but should he guide them to their 35th league title, that certainly will not matter. And more important, recording a resounding win in a big game at home against the Eagles' bitter rivals certainly will go a long way in endearing himself further to the team's followers.
The last time Benfica were defeated by Porto at home was in March 2012, when the Dragons powered past them 3-2. In their five meetings at the Estadio da Luz since then, the hosts have picked up three wins and two draws, but it is important to note that only one of those wins - back in January 2014 - was in the Primeira Liga and not in a cup tie.
Porto
It has not been the easiest season so far for Porto, who now are on their third manager after Julen Lopetegui's sacking and Rui Barros's caretaker spell came to an end. They were dumped out of the Champions League and even worse, surprisingly finished last in their quartet in this year's Taca da Liga, losing all three games, scoring just one goal and conceding six.
After building up some solid momentum in 2015, during which they did not lose a single game, things appear to have come unstuck a bit for the Dragons. They began 2016 with a loss to Sporting CP and since then have added two further defeats, including in their most recent match against Arouca that snapped their two-match winning streak.
Nonetheless, here's an interesting stat: Porto have had the lead in all but two out of their last seven away games (both at the half-time break and at full-time) so despite their unsteady form, Benfica supporters will still be wary of the visitors.
Next up on the horizon looms a tough test against an excellent Borussia Dortmund side in the Europa League round of 32. As such, José Peseiro will be hoping that his team, whose attack have been largely spearheaded by the excellent Vincent Aboubakar, will be able to re-build some of that shaky confidence by completing a "double" over Benfica by winning yet again this Friday.
In doing so, they could close that gap to three points and certainly force their way back into the title race as they, like Sporting CP hope to break Benfica's stranglehold on the Primeira Liga title.
Which channel is broadcasting Benfica vs Porto on TV or Online?
- In the USA at 15.30 EST on: NGSN USA
- In Portugal at 20.30 WET on: Benfica TV Portugal
- In the UK at 20.30 GMT on: BT Sport Europe, BT Sport Live Streaming
For those who live elsewhere, check out the Benfica vs. Porto broadcast page for additional viewing times and options.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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