Super Extra Special Lisbon Derby Weekend

By: Greg | April 27th, 2007

While it’s not quite Benfica – Porto, this weekend’s derby between Benfica and Sporting carries fantastic implications. One of the two teams has to win in order to have a real shot of unseating the titleholders at the top of the table. A win would also further secure the second and final automatic berth into Champions League competition.

The two teams have played a mere THREE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR times. Benfica have won 148 times while Sporting have won 132 times with the draw total at 64. The game is at Benfica’s home stadium (the Luz) so when they come up short and lose to Sporting Sunday night, their fans will be close by to console them.

Check all the other games most people will be ignoring this weekend, along with the third installment of FixtureFacts!

Friday April 27: U.d.Leiria (highest point total attained in 2000/01 under, who else, this guy) at Paços de Ferreira (wear all yellow at home)

Saturday April 28: Porto (defeated AS Monaco 3-0 to win the 2004 Champions League) at Boavista (play home games at Estádio do Bessa XXI)

Saturday April 28: Beira Mar (fans known as “Auri-negros” or the Yellow-Blacks) at Belenenses (aka Azúis do Restelo or the Blues from Restelo)

Sunday April 29th: Aves (placed 2nd in the Liga da Honra last year to earn promotion) at Naval (founded in 1893)

Sunday April 29th: Maritimo (back up keeper shares a name with a real heartthrob) at V.Setubal (manager Carlos Cardoso)

Sunday April 29th: E.d.Amadora (play in a section of Lisbon which hosts an annual comic book festival) at Nacional (PFA player of the year took the pitch here before being scooped up by Sporting)

Sunday April 29th “The Big One”: Sporting (ARE GOING TO WIN!, nanny nanny poo poo!) at Benfica (booked a May friendly date with AEK in scenic Newark, NJ)

Monday April 30th: Braga (won their first Taça de Portugal in 1966) at Academica (their Kaka plays defense)

I’m going to be in San Diego (which was founded in 1904 by the Germans and translates to “a whale’s vagina) all next week sans computer so I will not be able to blog until the following week. Therefore, I know my loyal readers (my mother and brother) will be sorely disappointed for an entire week. For this I apologize and leave you with a resounding COME ON YOU BLUES for the Chels. See you when I get back.