Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Sparkles will be flying when Benfica and Sporting CP face each other in the Lisbon derby at Estadio da Luz. The Eagles aim to build on a 2-0 win over Chaves, but they face a difficult task in the local derby against the in-form Lions. The likes of David Neres, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kokcu are out of contention with injuries as well as Juan Bernat, who has joined the trio in the recovery room.
Sporting, on the other hand, are leading the chase for the Primeira Liga trophy, but seeing that Benfica are tough to beat at home, we are tempted to put our money on draw. In their last meeting in the local derby the two sides played out a 2-2 draw and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. Forward Geny Catamo misses out with a muscle problem, but he should be the only absentee in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Coates):
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 7, 1990, Sebastian Coates is a 196-cm-tall defender who plays for Sporting CP in Primeira Liga. Coates is the product of the hometown club Nacional, and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 60 appearances for the capital club in the national championship.
After ending his spell with English club Sunderland, the Uruguay international moved to Portugal, signing a loan deal with Sporting CP in January 2016. He signed a permanent contract with the Lions in February 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Sebastian Coastes made his full Uruguay debut against Chile at the 2011 Copa America. La Celeste won the trophy, with the team beating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the competition at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. Coates wears the number 4 shirt at Sporting CP, and his preferred foot is right.
Highlighted Team (Benfica):
Member of the ‘Big Three’ clubs in Portugal alongside FC Porto and CP Sporting, Sport Lisboa e Benfica are the football club that has never been relegated from the Primeira Liga. The club is nicknamed Aguias because of the Eagle symbol atop the club’s crest. Benfica play their home games at the Estadio da Luz which replaced the original one in 2003 and which boasts the capacity of more than 64,000. Arguably the most successful club in Portugal, Benfica have won a record of 35 Primeira Liga titles and also a record 25 Taca de Liga and 7 Taca da Liga trophies.
Two-time European Cup winners, Benfica are the club known for their diligent work with youth players, many of which went on to make great careers abroad. The most prominent players to wear a Benfica shirt are legendary Eusebio, Manuel Bento, Jorge Tavares and most recently Javier Saviola, Nuno Gomes, David Luiz and Angel Di Maria.