Dragões v Benfica preliminary match preview

If you are a fan of Football in Portugal the Porto - Benfica match needs little introduction. A clash between Porto and its southern neighbour Lisbon that conjures up memories of none other than the great Eusebio, amongst the many others.

Since its very first match in 1912, the two sides have met two-hundred forty times with As Águias having a narrow three match margin over Os Dragões with ninety-four victories. Within Liga action Porto reverses the margin but once again it is clear that this is a "clássico" that can't be missed.

Now on Sunday with Porto holding a narrow one-point margin over Benfica, Estádio do Dragão will the setting for a battle of epic proportion.

Clearly the match was on Jesualdo Ferreira's mind with his lineup selection in Wednesday's Taça da Liga as he chose to rest much of his first team, stating afterwards:

"The match against Benfica will be different, because it's for the championship and not a knockout competition."

Benfica manager Quique Sánchez Flores said of the affair:

"We have been working hard and getting better step by step. I'm sure we are going to be very competitive at the Estádio do Dragão."