SM
Porto vs. Roma: 1 hr 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
B
Taca de Portugal | Semi-Finals | 2nd Leg
Apr 2, 2024 at 8.45pm UK
Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
SL

Benfica
2 - 2
Sporting Lisbon

Otamendi (52'), Silva (64')
di Maria (45+3'), Schmidt (90+7')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Hjulmand (47'), Paulinho (55')
Inacio (49'), Morita (72'), Israel (77'), Edwards (90+2')

Preview: Benfica vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Benfica vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Taca de Portugal clash between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Benfica welcome Sporting Lisbon to Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night looking to overturn a first-leg deficit in the semi-final of the Taca de Portugal.

The Eagles are hoping to make it into the final of this competition for the first time since 2020-21, while the Leoes also hope they can end their four-year wait for another Taca de Portugal final appearance.


Match preview

Benfica suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final on February 29.

The Eagles trailed by two goals in the 54th minute after Pedro Goncalves and Viktor Gyokeres found the net for the Lions. Fredrik Aursnes halved the deficit in the 68th minute, offering Benfica a lifeline.

Roger Schmidt's men followed that defeat with a disappointing 5-0 loss to Porto in the league. However, they have since gone unbeaten in five matches across all competitions, winning the last four, including their most recent 1-0 win over Chaves on Friday.

Benfica are still in contention for a treble this season as they are just one point behind Sporting in the league, although they have played a game more, and are also in the quarter-final of the Europa League, where they will face Marseille, plus the chance to reach the Taca de Portugal final.

The Eagles have played Sporting twice this season, once in the league and once in this competition. Both sides have won one match each, both by a 2-1 scoreline for the side at home on both occasions.

If this trend continues on Tuesday, the match will go into extra time and possibly penalties. However, both teams will be hoping to avoid this as they face each other again in the league just four days after the semi-final.

Sporting Lisbon head into this match following a comeback 2-1 victory over Estrela Amadora on Friday night, which keeps them top of the Primeira Liga.

The Lions fell behind when Leonel Bucca scored for Estrela in the 16th minute, but goals from Paulinho and Nuno Santos secured the win before half time.

Ruben Amorim's team are already out of the Europa League after losing 3-2 on aggregate to Atalanta BC in the round of 16. This leaves them with only the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal titles to fight for.

Benfica currently stand in their way for both trophies, but Sporting hold a slight advantage in both situations and could potentially reach the final and extend their league lead this week.

Benfica Taca de Portugal form:


Benfica form (all competitions):


Sporting Lisbon Taca de Portugal form:


Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):



Team News

Benfica have no injury or suspensions to worry about heading into this clash, leaving Schmidt with a wealth of options to choose from.

Spanish defender Juan Bernat returned to the squad against Chaves for the first time since October when he suffered a muscle injury.

Marcos Leonardo was rested for the last match but should return to lead the line on Tuesday, with the Eagles' top scorer Rafa Silva playing behind the striker.

Sporting Lisbon remain without midfielder Goncalves, who has been sidelined since coming off injured midway through the Europa League game against Atalanta on March 14.

He is joined on the Leoes' injury table by Spanish goalkeeper Antonio Adan, who has missed each of the last seven matches through a thigh problem.

Gyokeres is having an unforgettable season, having scored 36 times in 40 appearances across all competitions and he should lead the line once again.


Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Bah, Morato, Otamendi, Aursnes; Luis, Neves; Di Maria, Silva, Mario; Leonardo

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; Diomande, Coates, Reis; Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Paulinho; Trincao, Gyokeres, Santos



We say: Benfica 1-1 Sporting Lisbon

We expect this match to be a very tight affair as both sides have several quality players that should cancel each other out. There is a feeling that both sides will be cautious and smart with their approach given that they will face off in the league once again on Saturday. We are calling a draw but both sides should find the net in this one.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__540218 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-03-31 23:34:55:
html db last update - 2024-03-31 23:34:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Arsenal, Chelsea 'learn Viktor Gyokeres asking price'
Will Lewandowski, Martinez, De Jong stay at Barcelona this summer?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon21163257164151
2Benfica21152449183147
3Porto21134445182743
4Braga21134438201843
5Santa ClaraSanta Clara2112272522338
6Casa Pia219662725233
7Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes217953025530
8Estoril PraiaEstoril218672632-630
9FamalicaoFamalicao2151062224-225
10Rio AveRio Ave216782335-1225
11MoreirenseMoreirense2165102531-623
12AroucaArouca2165101932-1323
13Gil Vicente215792332-922
14Nacional2164111928-922
15AVS213991631-1518
16Estrela Amadora2145121834-1617
17SC FarenseFarense2136121330-1715
18BoavistaBoavista2126131436-2212
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Will Ancelotti make changes? How Real Madrid could line up against Osasuna

1

WA

Preview: Man City vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PM

Will Lewandowski, Martinez, De Jong stay at Barcelona this summer?

NEW

3

WL

Preview: Besiktas vs. Trabzonspor - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PB

Preview: Osasuna vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PO

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Ipswich - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PA

Rashford decision, Watkins status: Predicted Villa XI vs. Ipswich

7

RD

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Porto vs. Roma

8

TE

Preview: Lazio vs. Napoli - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PL

Gonzalez home debut, right-back dilemma: Predicted Man City lineup vs. Newcastle

10

GH


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .