Benfica in a bind, Sporting deal Champions blow: final-day state of play | OneFootball

The draw between Benfica and Braga, combined with Sporting’s win away to Rio Ave, caused a major shake-up in the league standings. The Lions overtook the Eagles and moved up to second place, now on 79 points, compared to the 77 of the team managed by José Mourinho.

This situation leaves Sporting in a very comfortable position to secure a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The green-and-whites only need to match Benfica’s result in the final round to hold on to second place and secure a decisive advantage in the European race.

The Eagles’ situation has become much more complicated. Benfica are now obliged to win away at Estoril and, at the same time, hope that Sporting fail to beat Gil Vicente at home. Any slip-up could deal a heavy blow to the red side’s European ambitions.

Even at the limit, Sporting could still draw or lose and remain ahead of their eternal rivals, as long as Benfica fail to win at Estoril. A scenario that puts even more pressure on several Benfica starters in this final stretch of the season.

The club in red return to action next Saturday, May 11, against Estoril. The match, valid for the 34th and final round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, against Ian Cathro’s side, will kick off at 8:30 pm at the António Coimbra da Mota Stadium.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.