Sporting vs Benfica Prediction 29.12.2024 | Liga Portugal

• Competition: Liga Portugal
• Date: 29.12.2024
• Kickoff: 20:30 UK / 21:30 CEST
• Venue: Estádio José Alvalade (Lisbon)

One of the biggest city derbies in Europe, the Portuguese classic between Sporting and Benfica, is on the schedule.

The green-and-whites from Lisbon have lost their grip at the top of the table over the past month, surrendering first place to their city rivals. With only one win in their last four matches, they’ve dropped points in games they were expected to win, including losses to Santa Clara and Moreirense. A draw in the previous round against Gil Vicente added to their woes, and now they face perhaps their toughest test yet.

Benfica has capitalized on Sporting's poor form, climbing to the top with a narrow 1-point lead over their fierce rivals. In their last two league matches, they’ve scored five goals without conceding, showcasing strong performances. Benfica has also been impressive away from home, winning three of their last four away games across all competitions, including the Champions League.

Sporting vs Benfica pick: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

When discussing the Champions League, it’s worth noting that, with two rounds remaining in the group stage, both teams are close to securing a knockout round spot. In fact, they even have a chance to bypass the Round of 16 and advance directly to the quarterfinals.

One noticeable trend in their recent head-to-head clashes is the frequency of goals from both sides. In their last six meetings, both teams have managed to find the back of the net, and this outcome has occurred in 9 of their last 10 encounters. Given this history, another goal-filled duel is highly anticipated.