TipResumen

INTRODUCTION

This third round clash is one of the most exciting matches in the Portuguese Liga as it is between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Last season both side finished without a trophy as Porto was better in the Championships. Sporting reached the Cup final but they were beaten by Aves. No doubt that both sides will want to make up for their poor showing last season and will want to get off to a good start this season. Both sides have won their opening two matches and interestingly they have the same goals difference at the moment. Benfica is playing the Champions League qualifiers and they have got poast the first obstacle already.



BENFICA

Everything was going Benfica way until they came up against PAOK Saloniki in the first leg of the playoffs for the Champions League as they were held to a 1-1 draw. Now that is not the result Benfica wanted to take for the second leg as they will have to play away from home. In the third qualifying round they had a difficult opponent from Turkey in the form of Fenerbahce. Benfica managed a slim win at home and then a draw in the return leg away from home. Benfica started their championships with two wins but against the likes of Guimaraes and Boavista, that was expected. They did take the lead against PAOK, but they failed to hold on to it. In that match, Salvio was not in the side. As for the team news, goalkeeper Varela and striker Jonas are still out of the side due to injuries.



SPORTING LISBON

Last season is one Sporting Lisbon will want to forget quickly as they were beaten in the Cup finals by Aves. After being out of the running for the title early on, they had a chance to redeem themselves in the Cup, but they failed and their situation was the same in Europe. Now they will play in the Europa League this season, but their focus will be on trying to win the title in their domestic championships. Sporting Lisbon won their opening two matches, but they were not impressive. In their first match they conceded an early goal against Moreirense, but then they quickly levelled the score. After that they scored the winner thanks to striker Dost who also scored their opening goal. In their second match they also struggled against Setubal. But returning player Nani helped them by scoring two goals as they won by 2-1. No doubt their biggest loss will be the departure of midfielder W. Carvalho from the side. They also lost goalkeeper Patricio who has left to join the English Premier League. Other players who left are the likes of Piccini, Coentrao and Martins. Sporting Lisbon also brought new players to their side but deserves mention is striker Diaby from Club Brugge. They also have a new coach in Jose Peseiro.



PAST MEETINGS

Last season both meetings ended in draws.