Jornada 27 Preview: Clássico Time

By: Greg | April 18th, 2008

class These matches this weekend have a huge amount of expectation to live up to after the Sporting v Benfica cup semifinal.

As if a 3-0 loss at home to Academica and five second half goals from Sporting isn’t enough, Benfica face off against seemingly invincible Porto AWAY this Sunday in the Clássico. Porto won the first iteration of this huge match earlier in the year 1-0 on a first half Quaresma strike. The undoubtedly on his way out midfielder was in treatment yesterday for a knee injury suffered in the 3-0 win over V.Setúbal earlier in the week. However, he was pronounced fit enough for the clash with fourth place rivals Benfica this weekend.

In other “WHEW” news, Boavista got some last minute financing and the players will have their past due wages fulfilled. An investor, Sergio Silva, put forth thirty eight million Euros, with almost ten to be received by the team immediately. In case you’re wondering, 38 million Euros is like 65 billion US dollars at this point. For this hefty sum, he receives all sponsorship rights, including the club, stadium, as well as the kits. I may sponsor a down-and-out club on the cheap one day just to be able to put something absurd on their kits.

-=Jornada 27=- All times are Eastern United States this weekend because I wanted to switch it up a bit. Since the league is sponsored by betting website bwin, this Jornada’s edition of FixtureFacts gives you each team’s current betting odds for the weekend’s contests (in worthless American Dollars). I don’t necessarily condone nor endorse gambling… I actually love it…

Friday, April 18th @ 15:30 — Académica (+185) v. V.Guimarães (+133)

Saturday, April 19th @ 14:30 — Marítimo (+108) v. Braga (+230)

Sunday, April 20th @ 11:00 — Boavista (-102) v. Nacional (+265)
Sunday, April 20th @ 11:00 — P.Ferreira (-105) v. Naval (+264)
Sunday, April 20th @ 11:00 — Leixões (+118) v. E.d.Amadora (+217)
Sunday, April 20th @ 14:15 — U.d.Leiria (+729) v. Sporting (-283)
Sunday, April 20th @ 15:30 — Porto (-110) v. Benfica (+284) **Clássico**

Monday, April 21st @ 14:45 — Belenenses (+121) v. V.Setúbal (+212)

Do what you will with the odds information, I make no predictions or recommendations whatsoever. If you lose money, it’s your ass. Plus how are you gonna beat me up over the Internet? You could always childishly make fun of me or threaten me via comments. But that’s never been done before… Enjoy the weekend. You inspire joy joy feelings in those around you.