Crunch Clash as Title Rivals Meets in Portugal

The Portuguese Primeira Liga tends to be dominated by three teams and two of them meet in a potential title decider on Sunday.

Benfica and Porto will clash in a huge game at the Estadio da Luz, with the teams separated by just a single point at the top of the table.  The home side start with the slender advantage and know a win would open a 4 point gap over their rivals.

However, a win for Porto would see them move above Benfica and 2 points clear with just four matches to play.  A draw could see Sporting Lisbon and Braga, currently fourth and third, move within 4 points of the lead, so there is all to play for in an exciting finish to the Primeira Liga.

Benfica come into this match in excellent form and trends show they have won each of their last nine league games. not only that but Benfica are undefeated in their last twenty-three Primeira Liga games in a row and this makes them the in-form team in Portugal.

You must go back to the 16th September to find the last time Benfica lost a match in the Primeira Liga and even further, to the 12th February 2016, to find the last time they lost a home league game.  Interestingly, their opponents that day were Porto.

Benfica are on a great run at home and trends show have won each of their last six league games by a margin of 2 goals or more.

Porto travel to Lisbon having defeated Desportivo Aves 2-0 at home last week as they aim to string a run of wins together at the end of the season.  Porto looked as though they were going to win the title this season but defeats against Pacos de Ferreira and Belenenses in recent weeks has seen them drop off the top of the table.

However, trend show those two defeats are the only games Porto have lost in their last twenty in the Primeira Liga and they have lost just three of their last sixty in the league, which is a tremendous record.

Away from home in the Primeira Liga, Porto have lost two of their last fourteen games but both of those defeats have come recently and they have allowed their away form to slip at a crucial time.  Porto could not have asked for a tougher test to get their title campaign back on track.

Team news and Benfica are without Filip Krovinovic who is injured but Jonas should be fit to return to the team in attack and that would be a huge boost for the home team.  Eduardo Salvio is also close to a return and may feature on the bench.

Porto are without the injured Danilo Pereira and the defensive midfielders’ absence could see Otávio move into a central position.  Moussa Marega could make a return to the right side of the team following injury.

Given their recent away form, Porto would probably settle for a draw in this game and remain just 1 point behind with four games left to play.  However, Benfica are in great form and will see this as the perfect opportunity to move clear at the top.  This is going to be a thrilling game, with the home team most likely to take maximum points.