In this week 16 match on the 15th of January, Benfica hosts Sporting CP in a clash of the Primeira Liga in the anticipated Lisboa derby. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 10 degrees, which should make for a nice day for football. Benfica is fresh off their 1-0 shutout win against Portimonense. João Mário struck first for Benfica in the 9th minute from the penalty spot, and with that single goal the scoring was complete. Neither team could manage anything else In the end, Portimonense was frustrated by Benfica’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Benfica ended the match with the shutout victory. Benfica is on a hot streak lately, with only 1 loss in their last 10 matches, while sporting CP sits at 4th place in the tables. In their last match they recorded a 0-1 loss against Marítimo. Cláudio Winck struck first for Marítimo in the 55th minute from the penalty spot, and with that single goal the scoring was complete. Neither team could manage anything else In the end, Sporting CP was frustrated by Marítimo’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Marítimo ended the match with the shutout victory. With 21 points in their last 10 matches Sporting CP should be reasonably happy with their performance.
This match will be the first time these two teams face eachother this season. Last season these teams were evenly matched with 1 win each.
Sporting CP’s most prolific scorer has been Pedro Porro. The Spanish midfielder has netted 2 goals over the last 5 matches. João Mário has been the most effective weapon for Benfica lately. The Portugeese midfielder has netted three goals in his last 5 matches.