Sporting needs to beat Athletic Bilbao to guarantee direct qualification, while Benfica has a very difficult score even after beating Real Madrid. In the Europa League, SC Braga and FC Porto are better positioned, with the Minho team depending only on themselves to move forward.
This week is about decisions in European competitions. Sporting, FC Porto and SC Braga are still fighting for direct qualification, while Benfica faces a more complicated scenario: even if they beat Real Madrid, direct access to the next phase is not guaranteed.
Sporting’s last victory against PSG and all the expectations it generated ensured, at least, their presence in the playoff. However, 10th place in the league phase still allows us to dream of direct qualification and the reduction of two games in the calendar.
To do this, the “lions” will have to win in Bilbao and score goals, as they have the same 13 points as PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea and Barcelona, therefore needing a better result than these.
For this Wednesday’s game, the injured Eduardo Quaresma, Nuno Santos, Quenda, Salvador Blopa and Fotis Ioannidis are still out. Pedro Gonçalves and Ousmane Diomande return to the options, but with great caution.
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao faces a more difficult scenario: it occupies 23rd place with eight points, but still maintains some hope of reaching the play-offs.
Benfica with difficult calculations
Benfica, in turn, has a more complicated campaign in this group stage, with two wins and five defeats. They host Real Madrid, but even if they win, they will have to wait for the results of 13 teams, including Atlético de Bilbao themselves.
If Sporting draws or loses in Spain, Benfica’s accounts become even more difficult, and the presence of Real Madrid in the fight for direct qualification eliminates the possibility of resting the main stars.
For this decisive game, José Mourinho will be without the injured Richard Rios, Dodi Lukebakio, Samuel Soares and Alexander Bah.
In the Europa League the math is easier
In the Europa League, Portuguese teams are better positioned. SC Braga occupies fifth place and FC Porto ninth place, both with a chance of advancing directly to the round of 16.
For the Minho team, a victory against the Go Ahead Eagles, in the Netherlands, is enough, being the only Portuguese team that depends exclusively on itself.
The blue and white team also need to beat Rangers, but they remain dependent on results from other teams, such as Friburgo, Midtjylland, SC Braga, Roma, Ferencváros and Betis.
