Porto to profit from Lisbon derby

Nuno Gomes fears FC Porto "might be the real winners" when SL Benfica welcome Sporting Clube de Portugal in Saturday's Lisbon derby at the Estádio da Luz.

'All the ingredients'
With Porto on fire in the league, winning their first five Liga fixtures, Benfica and Sporting need a victory to keep the champions within their sights. The Portugal striker was only too aware the league leaders could be the main beneficiaries, especially if it ends in a draw, saying: "Neither team wants to drop points so Porto might be the real winners. The Sporting game has all the ingredients of a good match."

Rocky start
Benfica endured a turbulent start to the season, dismissing coach Fernando Santos after their first game – a 1-1 draw at promoted Leixões SC – and reappointing José Antonio Camacho in his place. They have yet to concede a goal or lose in the league under their new Spanish boss, but they have drawn two of their four games under him 0-0.

Recent draws
One of those stalemates came in their last fixture at SC Braga, with that result leaving them fourth in the table, a point adrift of Sporting in third and six behind Porto. Sporting, meanwhile, have started well, barring a 1-0 defeat at Porto and a 2-2 draw at home against Vitória FC last weekend. Nuno Gomes said: "They drew the last league match at home so they will want to pick up points."

Past visits
Sporting coach Paulo Bento has enjoyed his trips to the Estádio da Luz in recent seasons, leading his side to a 1-1 draw there last season and a 3-1 win in 2005/06. Derlei and Pedro Silva will miss out for his side, while Marat Izmailov and Bruno Pereirinha are rated doubtful, but with David Luiz and Petit absent for Benfica, they should not feel those absences too badly.

'Not nervous'
"We are going to Estádio da Luz to win the game", said Sporting's Under-21 international forward Yannick Djaló. "We are not nervous and this is not the time to get anxious or feel pressurised. I think there are no favourites for this match. However, we are going to give all we have got on the pitch. We are going to fight and we must show a great attitude to win the game." While the Lisbon derby takes centre stage on Saturday, Porto will also be in action later against city rivals with the visit of Boavista FC.