Benfica provide Porto's ultimate test

The Portuguese title race kicks into top gear on Sunday when tiring leaders FC Porto travel to second-placed SL Benfica.

Shock defeat
Porto's 1-0 home defeat by Sporting Clube de Portugal on 17 March has reopened the battle for the championship, with the title-holders now just a point clear of Benfica and six above Sporting in third. "There are three big candidates for the title," Benfica coach Fernando Santos proclaimed.

Mixed fortunes
Benfica have certainly hit form at the right time following a sluggish start to the season. The UEFA Cup quarter-finalists have won their last five league games and are unbeaten in the domestic competition since November. Jesualdo Ferreira's Porto, by contrast, could be slowing down after setting a punishing pace earlier in the campaign. "We are at home and we know we have a great team, so we do not fear our opponents - we just respect them," said Benfica's Nélson. Even the prospect of coming up against fearsome winger Ricardo Quaresma does not faze the full-back: "Quaresma is an excellent player and has done a lot for Porto and Portugal, but I have not been studying his game."

'Playing to win'
Benfica have been boosted by confirmation that No10 Rui Costa will be fit to play, although the absence of Portugal goalkeeper Quim and Brazilian centre-back Luisão - both with knee injuries - is a setback. Porto, meanwhile, hope to have the Brazilian pair of goalkeeper Helton and midfielder Anderson back to make up for the loss to injury of Lisandro López, Ibson, Pedro Emanuel, Bruno Moraes and João Paulo. No longer first-choice custodian, but still a hugely influential figure, Vítor Baía is adamant that the Lisbon showdown will not be a damage limitation exercise for Porto: "We always play to win - that's our philosophy."