Sporting tipped to beat Benfica

Sporting and Benfica clash this Thursday at the Estádio José Alvalade for a match of the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup.

After facing Rio Ave in Primeira Liga, Sporting turn their attention to the Portuguese Cup where they challenge Benfica. Going into the encounter, the leões are on a sequence of scoring at least one goal each match for the past four, in the Taça Portugal 23/24. On the other hand, Roger Schmidt's team has recorded a four-game unbeaten sequence in the Taça Portugal 23/24. A look back at the history books shows that Rúben Amorim's team and the encarnados have faced each other three hundred nineteen times, with Benfica holding the advantage: 139 victories, against 112 victories of Sporting. Specifically in the Estádio José Alvalade, the leões have the advantage in the duels against Roger Schmidt's team: 73 wins in 151 games. The encarnados have 46 wins.

Considering only the Portuguese Cup, there have been thirty-seven games played between the two teams, with 19 wins for Sporting, 2 draws and 16 wins for Benfica.

The last meeting between the two teams ended with Benfica winning 2x1. Sporting will have to work hard if they want to overcome this major hurdle.