Liga Betclic: Sporting-Benfica X-ray

Having reached the top of the Liga Betclic, Benfica will close out the 2024 calendar year against Sporting in the matchday 16 derby scheduled for 8:30 pm on Sunday, December 29 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

This is always a match full of passion and history, and will be the 323rd time the teams have met in official matches.

In 180 derbies, Benfica won 83 (46%) and drew 47 (26%). There were 309 shots on target for the eagles (average of 1.72), a better record than that of Sporting (246; average of 1.36).

Away from home, Benfica played 90 matches and won 34 (38%), with 22 draws (21%). The Eagles have scored 130 goals, one more than Sporting, taking points in 62% of their visits.

Looking for their fifth away win in the competition, after beating Nacional, Arouca, Farense and Boavista, Bruno Lage's side come into the eternal derby with 37 goals scored and eight conceded (best defense). The Green and Whites - now coached by Rui Borges, who will be making his first appearance in charge of the team - have scored 43 goals and conceded 10.

In second place in the Liga Betclic, Sporting are one point behind the eagles, who, in collective terms, are superior to their next opponents in the average number of accurate long balls per game (27.6 against 21.3) and accurate crosses per game (6.3 against 6).

In terms of possession, Benfica have an average of 60% of shots per game, compared to 66.7% for their opponents. Their closest rivals have 21.9 shots per game, while the Eagles have 16.4. However, if we restrict the parameter to shots on target, the two teams are evenly matched: 6.5 for the league leaders and 6.9 for the Green and Whites.

In terms of defending, Bruno Lage's men lead the way in clearances: 19.5 per game compared to 13.2 for their rivals (the worst team). Benfica also have a better record in interceptions: 9.2 against 6.3.

Also in the defensive process, individually, Florentino and Bah have 41 clean sheets (they're in the top 5 in this index), ahead of Francisco Trincão (25).

In interceptions, with 24 each, Otamendi and Florentino are also in the top five and beat Diomande (16), Sporting's most efficient. The data comes from the Sofascore platform.

Di María and Aktürkoğlu are the Glorioso's top scorers, with six goals, while Argentina's world champion is the eagle with the most shots (41). For Sporting, Gyokëres has 70 shots and 18 goals.

Aktürkoğlu is the player with the most assists (4). Francisco Trincão has eight. In terms of key passes per match, Di María stands out for the eagles, with two, the same as Gyokëres.