After a pause for international fixtures, all of Europe's leagues resume action this weekend. This includes the Primeira Liga, with reigning champions Benfica hoping to hold off Porto and Sporting CP as they chase yet another domestic title in what has been a solid campaign under new coach Rui Vitoria.
Benfica
Benfica will be the first side to be in action for matchday 28, given that their game against Sporting Braga falls on a Friday. The Eagles could temporarily extend their lead to five points over Sporting CP, who just so happens to be coached by ex-Benfica manager Jorge Jesus. Coming into this match, the hosts have won all five of their past quintet of games and will be keen on making it six when they welcome Sporting Braga, a team who have had a pretty decent campaign thus far.
Should Rui Vitoria's side not pick up all three points, they could find themselves closer - or behind - Sporting CP at the end of this round. Although their upcoming opponents sit in fourth and are a whopping 17 points behind, the Archbishops have presented a tricky foe in past meetings, and this could represent a potential banana skin for Benfica and put a dent in their title ambitions.
Sporting Braga
Meanwhile, Paulo Fonesca's side, which also finished in fourth last season, have experienced some mixed results in their past five matches. However, they rebounded from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Belenenses in a fashion that surely would please their legions of fans. First was a 4-1 demolition of Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce to book their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals, followed by a a confidence boosting 2-0 victory over Uniao Madeira, and they will be hoping to continue this successful run with a win at Benfica's home ground this Friday.
The reverse fixture earlier this season finished as a 2-0 win in favor of the Eagles, but one does not have to go too far back to note the last time Sporting Braga managed to get the better of Portugal's most successful club. Back during the the 2014/2015 season, the Archbishops not only beat them 2-1 in a Primeira Liga match, but followed this up two months later with another 2-1 victory in the Taca de Portugal.
Which channel is broadcasting Benfica vs Sporting Braga on TV or Online?
- In the USA at 15.30 EST on: fuboTV, Premium Sports Broadband, BenficaTV
- In Portugal at 18.30 WET on: BenficaTV 1
- In the UK at 18.30 BST on: BT Sport 2, BT Sport Live Streaming
If you live elsewhere, check out the Benfica vs Sporting Braga page for additional information.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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