Portuguese Liga Sagres Preview: Round 11 Sees Sporting Host Benfica

Full Fixture List (All times are local)

Friday (27th November)

Olhanense - V. Guimaraes 20:15

Saturday (28th November)

Nacional – Naval 17:00

Sporting – Benfica 21:15

Sunday (29th November)

Academica - V. Setubal 16:00

P. Ferreira – Leixoes 16:00

Belenenses – Maritimo 18:00

FC Porto - Rio Ave 20:15

Monday (30th November)

Sp. Braga - U. Leiria 20:15

Key Fixtures:

Sporting - Benfica

This Saturday evening sees the arrival of one of the most anticipated matches of the Portuguese league season, with Sporting Lisbon facing Benfica at the Estadio de Alvalade. In what is expected to be another highly charged classico, the Lisbon giants meet in what has been a differing campaign for the neighbour clubs.

Sporting have suffered a turbulent season, with ‘Os Leoes’ failing to win any of their previous five league matches, leading to the departure of coach Paulo Bento, who was replaced by ex-Braga and Maritimo coach Carlos Carvalhal. Carvalhal began his reign with a 4-1 victory over lower-league Pescadores last weekend in an unconvincing display from Sporting, who went into the interval losing 1-0 before securing victory in the second half. The recently appointed manager will be well aware that a victory will win the hearts of the Sporting fans, and anything less than three points for the home side will virtually demolish any title hopes ‘Os Leoes’ still harbour.

Benfica on the other hand have had an impressive opening to this season, which sees them joint top of the league alongside Braga, and five points clear of arch rivals FC Porto. ‘O Glorioso’ began last season in similar fashion, before dropping away from the title chase over the Christmas and New Year period last season, and will be looking to secure a confidence-inspiring victory that will send a message of intent to their rivals.

Sporting will still be without influential Russian midfielder Marat Izmailov, who has been forced onto the sidelines due to surgery performed over the summer. In addition, ‘Os Leoes’ are without pacey forward Yannick Djalo and right-back Andres Marques.

Benfica will be boosted by the return of top scorer Oscar Cardozo, however, strike partner Javier Saviola is a doubt with a thigh injury. In addition, the influential Brazilian duo of Luisao and Ramires are also injury doubts for the game, although it is expected that midfielder Ramires will be able to play some part in the match.

The Lisbon derby will be the first ‘classico’ for managers Carlos Carvalhal and Jorge Jesus, both experiencing life amongst the Portuguese ‘Big Three’ for the first time this season, and the pressure will be on both to achieve a positive result. Sporting have faced a turbulent period in their recent history, and go into this match in worrying form. However, despite Benfica's strong form this season, ‘O Glorioso’ have lost their last two competitive Portuguese matches, with a 1-0 league defeat away to Braga in Round 10, and a 1-0 home defeat to Guimaraes in the Portuguese Cup.

When consulting the form book, Benfica look favourites for this match, but Lisbon derbies are notorious for defying trends and ignoring recent results, which will surely bring Sporting fans hope going into this classic of Portuguese football.

FC Porto - Rio Ave

FC Porto go into Round 11 five points behind league leaders Sporting Braga and Benfica, and will no doubt have one eye placed on the Lisbon derby between Sporting and Benfica this weekend.

‘Os Dragoes’ have had a stop-start season thus far, with the league champions qualifying for the second round of the Champions League in impressive style, in the midst of some less convincing displays in the league. In the previous two league matches, Porto only managed to secure one point; drawing at home to Belenenses and losing to Maritimo away. This stuttering form has left the expectant blue and white fans displaying their displeasure with reason results, and nothing less than three points for the home side will please their faithful.

Rio Ave have had a strong season so far, and currently lie sixth in the Portuguese league with 16 points. The Vila-Condense side drew 2-2 with Sporting Lisbon in the previous round, and will be hoping to secure a similar result at the Estadio do Dragao this weekend.

Sp. Braga - U. Leiria

Sporting Braga have been this season's revelation in Portugal, with the side managed by Domingos Paciencia sitting joint top of the league having registered victories against Sporting, Benfica and Porto to date.

The Minhoto side have been unstoppable at home this season, registering five wins from five, and will be seeking to accumulate yet another victory this weekend when facing Uniao de Leiria. Leiria currently sit in eighth position in the league, and have shown impressive away form this season, registering two wins, two draws, and one defeat on their travels, including an impressive 4-0 away win at Setubal in Round 4 and a respectable 2-2 draw away at Guimaraes in Round 6. With Sporting and Benfica facing each other this weekend, Braga will be all too aware that if they want to have realistic hopes of a title push this season, a victory versus this resilient Leiria side is a necessity.