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Sporting Lisbon v Benfica: Bragging rights up for grabs

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Morgan in the driving seat - Alister Morgan previews the Lisbon derby as Sporting Lisbon clash with Benfica with much-needed points for a Champions League place at stake

Sporting Lisbon versus Benfica is always one of the biggest derby games in the Portuguese domestic calendar and, with ten games remaining, you'd expect this crucial game to have some bearing on the Superliga title race. In truth Porto look set to retain their Champions title at a canter, (just as they did last year), so this game is relevant only to the automatic Champions League spot that accompanies second place... along with the small matter of bragging rights between two ancient foes.

Recent converts to Portuguese football might consider Sporting Lisbon and Benfica perennial runners-up to a dominant Porto. Only one Portuguese team have made any recent impact in the Champions League in recent years. Mourinho the 'Special One' guided Porto to a memorable Champions League victory in 2004 and, while Sporting, Benfica and Porto all qualified for this year's competition, Porto are the only remaining Portuguese team in the competition.

On the domestic front the Portuguese League title invariably goes to one of the 'big three'. Benfica have the most titles with 28 to Porto's 21 and Sporting's 18 but in recent years Porto have been completely dominant winning the title four times in the last five years... the fans of Benfica and Sporting are not happy and to make matters worse, upstarts Guimaraes refuse to give up the fight this season and, in third place, currently split Benfica and Sporting.

Both Sporting and Benfica remain in the Uefa Cup (facing Bolton Wanderers and Getafe respectively) and you can back them to win the competition at [26] and [21] respectively. There's a lot of impressive history associated with these Portuguese clubs but I doubt that the European glory days will re-appear any time soon. With Bayern and Spurs still in the competition I suspect the Uefa Cup will not be going to Portugal this year.
As the domestic season enters its final stages both teams will hope for European success but focus on securing second spot and local bragging rights - this derby match will be fiercely contested as if the Superliga title itself was up for grabs.
Both teams have serious injury problems going in to the match. Key among Benfica's absentees is holding midfielder Petit while defender Luisao is still not fully fit. I suspect Luisao will be rushed back into the back four for such a big game but if Benfica are going to win their key players will be found further up the field.

The over-hyped American Freddy Adu is at last finding some form with Benfica while Rui Costa still retains the ability to dictate affairs from midfield. Costa only has three league goals so far this season but will remain a tangible threat from set pieces. Up front Nuno Gomes and Oscar Cardozo will be looking to add to their Superliga tallies (six and seven goals respectively) in the derby but I predict a low-scoring affair.

Sporting go in to the game as slight favourites and you can back them at [2.46] to beat their rivals. There's not a great deal between these two teams which is reflected in the price of a Benfica win at [3.3]. Sporting also have injury problems in midfield with Romagnoli definitely missing the game and Vukcevic a serious doubt. Up front striker Liedson is also carrying an injury but Vukcevic is the player Sporting will hope to pass fit with his ability to grab goals from midfield.

With both sides missing a fair few players in key positions, this may turn out to be I expect plenty of effort, entertainment and passion but few goals and would back the draw at [3.1].