Benfica - Sporting Preview

Benfica hosts Sporting this Saturday night (14.15 EST) in a surely sold out "Catedral".

Both teams coming off wins by penalty shootout in the Carlsberg cup, where they rested some of the more important players with this game on the horizon. With Porto already 6 and 5 points ahead of Benfica and Sporting respectively, this game is a game where only a win is a good result. With that being said let's look at the list of players each coach called up for this crucial match.

Camacho called up:

Quim, Butt; Luís Filipe, Edcarlos, Luisão, Léo, Zoro, Nelson e Miguel Vítor for the defense. For the midfield the following players will be available: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Maxi Pereira, Binya, Nuno Assis, Cristian Rodriguez e Romeu Ribeiro. For the attack: Cardozo, Di Maria, Nuno Gomes e Adu. The American player makes his game roster debut under Camacho, after being one of the few bright spots in the mid-week match. 19 players, which means one player will not suit up and will watch the game from the stands.

Paulo Bento called up:

Stojkovic e Tiago;Polga, Ronny, Tonel, Gladstone e Abel for the backline. Paredes, Adrien, Vukcevic, Farnerud, Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Romagnoli e Celsinho as midfield players. Liedson, Purovic e Yannick will be the choices up front.

Benfica will most likely start with the following 11:

Quim returns to goal, he is clearly the best keeper of the Bwin so far, Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos, Leo. I see Nelson starting over Luis Filipe, not only does he offer more speed and is quicker up the flanks he is also better defending, after playing 90 minutes mid-week and showing camacho he can go the full 90 he will most likely get the notch on the right side of the defense. In the middle Luisao will make his Bwin debut after an injury spell, he will partner with Edcarlos in who will make his third consecutive start in the Bwin, he has been playing better and better with each game and gaining confidence, we'll just have to see how he will partner up with Luisao. Leo will round out the back four on the left.

In Midfield, Katsouranis will start in the defensive midfield role relegating Binya to the bench, The Camaroonian has had good performances, but, Camacho will start Katsouranis over him, Also in the middle, to no one's surprise,Rui Costa will be the playmaker. On the sides Rodriguez and Maxi will return. Upfront Di MAria will once again play behind the center forward in a mobile role, as for the center forward, most likely it'll be Nuno Gomes, due to his derby experience. Cardozo will come off the bench IF Benfica goes behind or if Nuno Gomes is not playing well.. Looking at the other 8 players, It's very probable that either Freddy Adu or Zoro will not dress, i'm predicting Zoro, Because Adu will provide more offensive power if needed, and Miguel Vitor will be the back up mid-defender spot.. Let's look at the bench players, if indeed what i described above is the starting 11. Butt, Luis Felipe and Miguel Vitor, these will be back up players. Binya and Nuno Assis will be on the list of 4 probables to come in the game. Binya to chase in the latter part of the game as Rui Costa is not much of a defender and will tire out towards the end, Binya's entrance can also give Rui Costa more freedom and a clear offensive minded role, with no defensive responsabilities. Nuno Assis has been coming off the bench, but has really not proven anything when he does, nonetheless, he will be one of Camacho's options. As i said before Cardozo will most likely come off the bench at one point in order to provide a target in the box. Adu rounds off the list of 4 possible substitutes, i'd love to see Adu play, but, it'll be hard although the logic is there.. either to one of the flanks or switching positions with Di Maria and Di Maria going to one of the flanks.

As for Sporting they will start : Stojkovic, Abel, Polga, Tonel and Ronny, in the midfield, Veloso will be responsible for watching Rui Costa, Moutinho will play a little more on the right while Vukcevic will play on the left, Pipi will play in the 10 slot while Liedson and Purovic will pair up upfront with the brazilian in a more mobile role.

Look for a very evenly matched game with the difference being made by an individual play or a dead ball play, both teams know that losing 3 points could leave them in an uphill battle. For Sporting it'll be crucial to win this game, because they have already lost against Porto this season another loss to a direct contender would leave them in a not so good situation as far as head to head match ups. They are also looking to not loose any more ground to Porto while an 8 point difference would not be the end of the world, it is clearly an uncomfortable position. Benfica is playing home and it is their obligation to win this game in front of their home crowd. Benfica trail Porto By 6 points and need the 3 points, the team also needs to pick up momentum after last weekends tie in Braga and with an important Champions league match mid week next week, a win is important for the team's morale and it will serve as an affirmation of Camachos early stages of work are on track.

I hope to see a well played game with tons of fairplay and "caso"less. I'd love to say may the best team win, but since that doesn't always happen i hope Benfica wins.

Loose ones :

It is the 100th anniversary of the first ever derby between these 2 teams, the first one took place in December of 1907.

statistical breakdown:

146 games

67 Benfica Wins

35 Ties

44 Sporting Wins

471 Goals

259 Benfica Goals

212 Sporting Goals
courtesy of Maisfutebol.iol.pt