Benfica and Porto will face off in the Portuguese classic this Friday, September 29, at 16:15 (ARG/URU/CHI)/14:15 (COL/ECU/PER) for the seventh matchday of the Portuguese league, in a match that will be broadcasted on Star+.
Why it matters
The first classic of the Portuguese season is always a key moment. Additionally, as usual, both teams are in the upper part of the table, although Sporting Lisbon is the leader due to goal difference. The Eagles are on the same line and the Dragons have one point less. Another attractive point of the match will be the return of Ángel Di María, who will play this match again after 13 years. The Argentine World Cup champion is one of Benfica's main assets to secure the three points in Lisbon.
Players to watch
As mentioned before, Di María leads Benfica's offensive line (he is the team's top scorer with 4 goals in the league), while Petar Musa and Rafa Silva support him. Additionally, the other World Cup champion in the squad, Nicolás Otamendi, will lead the defense and will have the task of facing Mehdi Taremi and Wenderson Galeno, the strong attacking players of Porto.
Current form
Both teams won their matches last round. Porto defeated Gil Vicente 2-1 and Benfica beat Portimonense 3-1. The Dragons and Sporting are tied at the top with 5 wins and 1 draw, while the Eagles are one point behind, with the same number of victories but one defeat. In the Champions League, Porto won their debut match while Benfica lost. This classic could mark this part of the season.
Previous encounter
In their last league match, Porto defeated Benfica 2-1 in April of this year. In the first leg, Benfica came out on top with a 1-0 victory.