The Estádio do Dragão becomes the epicenter of Portuguese football tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, as FC Porto hosts arch-rivals Benfica in a high-stakes Taça de Portugal quarter-final. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 GMT (local time).
This edition of O Clássico is weighted with narrative: a battle between Francesco Farioli’s league-leading "Dragons" and a Benfica side led by the legendary José Mourinho, who is fighting to save the Eagles' season after recent cup heartbreak.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: Taça de Portugal (Quarter-final)
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Kick-off: 20:45 GMT / 20:45 WET / 15:45 ET
Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
Referee: To be confirmed
Stakes: A single-leg knockout; the winner faces either Sporting CP or AVS in the semi-finals.
The Storyline: Farioli’s Perfection vs. Mourinho’s Discipline
Porto: The Unstoppable Force
Under Francesco Farioli, Porto is arguably in its best form of the decade. They currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga and are riding a seven-match winning streak. The "Dragons" haven't lost a league game all season and have turned the Dragão into a fortress, winning 13 of their last 14 home matches. For Farioli, this match is a chance to move closer to a fifth cup title in seven years and solidify Porto's domestic dominance.
Benfica: Mourinho’s "Training Ground Siege"
It has been a turbulent week in Lisbon. Following a 3–1 exit from the Taça da Liga at the hands of Braga, José Mourinho reportedly ordered his squad to sleep at the training ground to regain focus. Sitting 10 points behind Porto in the league, the Taça de Portugal is now Benfica’s most realistic path to major silverware. Mourinho, returning to the stadium where he made his name, will be desperate to prove that his "Pragmatic Eagles" can still topple the league leaders in a knockout setting.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Porto Team News
Out: Luuk de Jong (knee), Nehuén Pérez (Achilles), Tomas Perez, and Andre Franco.
International Duty: Zaidu Sanusi is away at AFCON with Nigeria.
Suspended: Pablo Rosario.
Star Watch: Samu Aghehowa (Omorodion) enters in blistering form with 12 goals this season, supported by the creative spark of Pepê.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramos; Fernandes, Kiwior, Bednarek, A. Costa; Froholdt, Varela, Mora; Pepê, Samu, Sainz.
Benfica Team News
Suspended: Club captain Nicolas Otamendi is out following a red card against Braga.
Injury Ward: Alexander Bah (knee), Bruma (Achilles), Dodi Lukebakio (ankle), and backup keeper Samuel Soares. Antonio Silva is a major doubt.
Key Man: Vangelis Pavlidis remains the primary threat, having scored 17 goals across all competitions this season.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, T. Araujo, A. Silva, Dahl; Rios, M. Silva; Sudakov, Barreiro, Aursnes; Pavlidis.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Historic Rivalry: This is the 259th meeting between the sides. Porto leads with 102 wins to Benfica's 93 (63 draws).
Recent Meeting: The last league clash at the Dragão ended in a tense 0–0 draw in October 2025.
Scoring Streaks: Porto has scored in 15 consecutive matches, while Benfica has found the net in their last 12.
Cup Pedigree: Porto has won three of the last four Taça de Portugal trophies.
Tactical Analysis: High-Octane vs. The Low Block
Farioli’s Porto thrives on high-intensity pressing and quick vertical transitions through Alan Varela. They will likely look to exploit Benfica's makeshift central defense, which is missing the veteran leadership of Otamendi.
Mourinho is expected to set up a disciplined, compact block, looking to frustrate Porto and strike on the counter through Georgiy Sudakov and Pavlidis. The battle between Porto’s Samu Aghehowa and Benfica’s António Silva (if fit) will likely decide the tie.
Match Prediction
Porto’s momentum and home advantage make them the favorites, but never bet against Mourinho in a "win-or-die" cup environment. However, with Porto's attack firing on all cylinders and Benfica missing their defensive anchor, the Dragons should edge it.
Final Score Prediction: Porto 2–1 Benfica
