O Classico takes centre stage in Portugal's Primeira Liga on Friday evening, with arch-rivals Benfica and Porto locking horns at the Estadio da Luz.

Second-placed Porto trail table-topping Benfica by 10 points, so the Dragons must take down the Eagles to keep the title race alive.

Match preview

By their own high standards, Benfica have endured a below-par spell in recent years, missing out on the Primeira Liga title in each of the previous three seasons, but it now seems inevitable that the Eagles will clinch their first top-flight triumph since 2018-19.

Having suffered a solitary defeat in 26 league matches – picking up 23 wins along the way – Roger Schmidt's men hold a seemingly unassailable lead at the summit of the standings with eight games remaining.

Not only have Benfica won each of their last 10 league outings – keeping eight clean sheets in the process – but they have also won 12 of their previous 13 matches across all competitions while booking their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Lisbon giants have been immense both on home soil and on their travels of late, but their unbeaten record at the Estadio da Luz is nothing short of remarkable, as they have won 18 and drawn two of their 20 home games in all competitions this term.

With Goncalo Ramos leading the way in attack and Joao Mario orchestrating proceedings in the middle of the park, it is easy to understand why Benfica have the best offensive and defensive records in Portugal's top tier.

That said, Porto can take confidence from the fact that Benfica have managed to win just one of the last 10 O Classico showdowns across all competitions, as the Eagles claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in October.

The Dragons enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run against Benfica between 2019 and 2022, securing seven derby wins along the way, proving that they invariably rise to the occasion when the bragging rights are on the line.

Of course, there is no denying that Benfica are enjoying a phenomenal campaign, but the Dragons are doing their utmost to keep pace with their rivals, as they have suffered just three defeats in 26 Primeira Liga matches this season.

It is also worth pointing out that Porto have lost only two of their previous 29 games across all competitions, with 13 victories coming in their last 17 encounters.

Having avoided defeat in each of their last 11 away league outings – winning four of their previous five Primeira Liga clashes on the road – Sergio Conceicao's men will fancy their chances of frustrating Benfica and closing the gap at the summit.

Team News

Benfica forward Goncalo Guedes remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while Paris Saint-Germain loanee Julian Draxler looks set to be absent for the foreseeable future following ankle surgery.

Mihailo Ristic is a doubt for Friday's clash as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, so Alejandro Grimaldo – who has chalked up five goals and 13 assists this season – will continue at left-back.

Goncalo Ramos will lead the line for the hosts, having netted 17 goals in 22 league outings this term, while Joao Mario will aim to enhance his impressive record of 23 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

On the flip side, Porto's Joao Mario is out with a knee issue, while veteran centre-back Pepe also finds himself on the visitors' injury list.

Given that Diogo Costa, Evanilson and Zaidu Sanusi are all doubts for the trip to Lisbon, Sergio Conceicao will have a selection headache when it comes to choosing his starting XI.

Having netted 22 goals across all competitions this season, top scorer Mehdi Taremi will continue to lead the line for the Dragons, with Toni Martinez and Galeno offering attacking support.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Chiquinho, Aursnes; Mario, Silva, Neres; Ramos

Porto possible starting lineup:
Ramos; Manafa, Cardoso, Marcano, Wendell; Pepe, Otavio, Uribe, Galeno; Martinez, Taremi

We say: Benfica 2-1 Porto

Regardless of Porto's recent O Classico record, we expect Benfica to continue their unstoppable charge towards Primeira Liga glory with a hard-fought victory over their bitter rivals.


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