Benfica vs Sporting Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Sporting to prevail in blockbuster Lisbon derby

The stage is set for another fiery Lisbon Derby as Benfica host Sporting CP at Estádio da Luz in one of the standout fixtures of the Portuguese football calendar. The rivalry has intensified in recent seasons, with the two clubs splitting the country’s top honours between them - and Benfica eager to reclaim domestic supremacy after losing both the league and cup to Sporting last season. This clash carries major title implications again, as the Eagles look to close the three-point gap separating them from their city rivals, while both teams are hoping to chase down FC Porto, who have opened up their own three-point lead at the top of the table, winning 11 of their 12 games.

I'm backing Sporting to emerge triumphant - I feel they've been the superior side all season, with Benfica failing to really get going. Benfica's struggles have been highlighted in the Champions League, where they've failed to score against the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen, while they even lost to Qarabag. They are repeatedly coming up short against the elite sides - and Sporting should certainly be counted in that same category. The Lions have won all six of their Liga Portugal games on the road and have kept clean sheets in their last three outings - they are strongly positioned to continue their winning form here.

These two teams have squared off 325 times throughout history. Benfica hold the H2H advantage with 139 wins, with Sporting behind on 116 victories, while there's also been 70 draws. Benfica won their Super Cup clash in preseason 1-0, while Sporting were victorious in the Portugal Cup last term and took out league honours, edging their rivals by two points at the top of the table.

Sporting arrive at this contest in red-hot form after four consecutive wins across all competitions, including a 4-0 demolition of Estrela.

The Lions exploded early with three goals inside 25 minutes as Eduardo Quaresma, Ivan Fresneda and Luis Suarez found the back of the net. Suarez then bagged himself a double after the break.

The defending champions sit second with 10 wins from 12 matches, though their record against fellow top-four sides has been mixed. losing to Porto and drawing with Braga. Away from home, however, Sporting have been flawless, winning all six of their league trips this season.

Sporting are travelling nicely in the Champions League too, going unbeaten in their last three games, beating Marseille and Club Brugge either side of a draw with Juventus.

Suarez, just one goal shy of Pavlidis in the Golden Boot race, is expected to lead the line once more, with Fotis Ioannidis still out through injury.

Zeno Debast, Nuno Santos and Daniel Braganca remain unavailable, but there is a major boost with Pedro Goncalves back to full fitness after a return from the bench last week and in line to start on the left flank.