ALIEN_80 | Tip for Benfica - Sporting | 15.01.2023

Tip: Win for Benfica Result: Draw

The round of 16 derby of the Portuguese elite pits Benfica against Sporting. The Eagles have taken a comfortable lead over their title chasers this season, and today they can extend their lead over fourth to as much as 15 points. Benfica's main opponent remains Porto, who are 7 points behind them, and Sporting Braga are still out of the reckoning, although they are moving in second position. However, it was the Gunners who inflicted the only defeat on the Red and Whites so far in the elite. It came on the penultimate day of last year with 0:3 on the opponent's field. However, January started with three points for the "Eagles", who completely outplayed Portimonense, but only beat them 1:0. It was also the thirteenth win for the candidate champion, with all the home games so far won.
Sporting Lisbon did not perform at all convincingly in the first half of the season and it is no coincidence that they are far from contention for the title. The Lions could soon find themselves within striking distance of the Champions League as well, which would surely be a failure. In the last round, the "Green and Whites" conceded 0:1 in their visit to Maritimo. More worryingly, this was their fifth defeat and the season is not yet half over. Four of the losses came on the road, where the team managed just three tailbacks.