Sporting Lisbon – Benfica 9 Feb 10
Portugal League Cup – Semi Final
*matches in all competitions
Sporting last 5 matches: 
Sporting last 3 home matches:
Benfica last 5 matches: 
Benfica last 3 away matches:
The first semi final in the Portuguese League Cup with 2 of the giants going neck to neck for a place in the final with Sporting Lisbon welcoming Benfica.
With FC Porto looking like clear favorites in the other match of the phase, against Academica on home ground, this cannot be said about this math with 2 teams of similar strength and playing it out.
Sporting Lisbon after a period in witch they regained their form and advance especially in the domestic league has lost the past 3 matches played, 2 in the Portuguese liga against Braga and Academica and where knocked out from Taca de Portugal by rivals FC Porto with an embarasing 5-2 scoreline.
They looked very strong on home ground where after 4 consecutive victories they where defeated by Academica, nonetheless showing a great appetite for scoring but with some visible gaps in defense as well.
Benfica seems to be favorite to reach the final after their very good results this season in the domestic league where they top the table with 4 points advantage over second Sporting Braga with 2 matches more played than their direct adversaries.
After no less than 4 consecutive victories, the team suffered it’s first set back this week with an unexpected 1-1 draw away to Vitoria Setubal. They showed a very good form in away matches lately with no defeats in the past 9 played from which they won 5.
My pick: Benfica to win
