Porto have a lot of catching up to do in the league, with both Sporting and Benfica sitting 9 points ahead of them as their eternal rivals dominate the league this season. Last season's meeting at the Estádio do Dragão saw Porto run out 5-0 winners and getting even close to this kind of performance would give this Porto side a huge boost.
Setting The Scene
Porto come into the weekend in some disappointing form. Fellow Northern Portugal side Braga claimed a 1-0 victory over Porto in early March, while Dragões were dumped out of the Europa League by Roma in a miserable February. Porto only won 1 of their 6 matches in February, drawing against Rio Ave, Sporting and Guimaraes. They have however turned things around slightly, with 3 of their last 4 league games going their way against Arouca, AFS and Estoril.
Benfica have been in imperious form, winning their last 8 league matches. They have only failed to win one of their last 10 as they look to wrestle the league title back from Sporting CP. The Eagles did however lose their last two league matches against the current top 4, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Sporting and a 2-1 home loss against Braga at the turn of the year. The top 4 in Portugal are all set to clash this weekend as Sporting host Braga on Monday evening.
Recent Form and H2H
Porto's win over Estoril last time out was the first time they have managed back to back wins in all competitions this calendar year. Dragões have struggled to look assured this season and conceded first at Estoril, before mounting a comeback win. While Porto have struggled to build form, they have only failed to score in 1 of their 19 home matches in all competitions this season. There hasn't been a draw in the last 9 meetings between the sides, with Porto just edging the contest with 5W and 4L.
Benfica made heavy work of their home match against Farense in midweek, eventually needing to outscore the side in second-bottom after conceding 2 goals, 12 shots and 1.77 xG. However, you can't argue with an 8 match win streak and they will be confident of claiming their first win in Porto since October 2022.
Team News
Star striker Samu scored for the first time in a month from the penalty spot against Estoril last week and is likely to lead the line as Porto look to keep Benfica's CBs occupied. Midfielders Grujic and Sousa remain out in the long term. Benfica remain without the services of fullback Bah and midfielder Manu. Both sides are in a strong place considering their workload with knockout European football lasting into late winter. Porto should however benefit massively from a midweek off. Benfica's laboured second half against Farense will give Porto hope heading into O Clássico.
Stats Watch
Tight Ships: Both Porto and Benfica are tied with the best defensive statistics in Liga Portugal, with just 0.8 goals per game conceded. Benfica's high engagement with opposition sees them well out ahead on possession turnovers in the final third, with an average of 6.9 per match. Braga are second on this metric, way down at 5.3, demonstrating just how well Benfica have perfected their press.
Potent Attack: No side has created more xG (62.8) than Benfica in Liga Portugal this term, while The Eagles also top the chance creation stats (111). Benfica's star striker Pavlidis is second on xG (12.4) to only Viktor Gyökeres (24.6). Kökcü tops the chance creation in the league (61) while Angel Di Maria has the highest xA (6.5).
Star Keeper: No keeper has kept more clean sheets than Porto's Diogo Costa (14). Porto will be banking on a big performance from their stopper as they look to prevent The Eagles from topping the league table on Sunday night.
With the title race heating up in Liga Portugal, Sunday’s O Clássico offers far more than just bragging rights. Porto are out to salvage a stuttering campaign and close the gap on the top two, while Benfica arrive full of confidence after eight straight league wins and an attacking style that has steamrolled most opponents. Home advantage has defined recent editions of this clash, and Sérgio Conceição’s side will be desperate to extend that trend, especially after benefitting from a midweek off. Benfica’s superior numbers in chance creation and high pressing suggest they will look to dictate terms, but with Diogo Costa in inspired form and the Dragão faithful behind them, Porto will believe they can make a statement in their biggest domestic test of the season.