Our prediction for this Taca de Portugal match:
Benfica
Match Time & Date:
02/04/2024
21:45
Prediction: 1-0
Sporting
There will be fireworks when Benfica and Sporting CP go head to head at Estadio da Luz in the Taca de Portugal semis, return leg. Benfica aim to overcome a one-goal deficit in front of home fans, but Tuesday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for the home side. Angel Di Maria should keep his place in the starting XI despite failing to convert a penalty in a 1-0 win over Chaves, while defender Antonio Silva is back from the Primeira Liga ban.
The Lions, on the other hand, survived Estrela at the weekend, with the team retaining top position in the Primeira Liga standings. As Sporting are fully focused on winning the national championship, we are tempted to put our money on the hosts this time out. Defender Goncalo Inacio is widely expected to sneak into Sporting CP’s starting XI following his fine performance against Estrela, while both Pedro Goncalves and Antonio Adan remain on the sidelines with injuries.
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.
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