In a thrilling build-up to the highly anticipated Lisbon derby, fans of both Benfica and Sporting are bracing themselves for what could be an emotional rollercoaster ride, complete with dramatic plot twists, questionable referee decisions, and more flares than an 80s disco party. As the two rivals prepare to clash this Saturday, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both teams are locked in a ferocious tie with 78 points, showcasing how Portugal can turn football into a calculated guessing game where neither side truly knows the secret recipe for success. Sporting sits atop the leaderboard thanks to a 1-0 victory in their earlier encounter—an accomplishment they are unrepentantly using to fuel their "we're the best" victory lap. In a theatrical twist, if Sporting manages to win this weekend, their fanbase is primed to celebrate with the kind of unrestrained joy normally reserved for lottery winners who have just found out they’re not related to their long-lost rich uncle. However, if Benfica finds themselves clutching a win by at least two goals, the celebrations will likely include a raucous parade that could lead to serious traffic snarls in Lisbon, as disgruntled Sporting fans take to the streets waving banners with sarcastic slogans like “Always the Spoiled Child”. Fans of both teams are engaging in their own version of psychological warfare. Sporting enthusiasts have already begun burning effigies of former Benfica legends, citing that the "ghosts of failure" are the team's biggest rival, while Benfica supporters stockpiling snacks and energy drinks in preparation for the post-game internet trolling session regardless of the outcome. Meanwhile, both coaches have resorted to mind games, with Sporting’s coach claiming his side has the mental edge because “we know how to win, even against teams that try to bribe the referee.” Benfica’s coach, on the other hand, channeled his inner motivational speaker, stating, “This is more than a game. It’s a battle of wits, and if they try to outsmart us, we’ll just send our wittiest player, a cat with no regard for personal space, to confuse them." With the match just days away, the atmosphere in Lisbon is electric—if by “electric” we mean tense, noisy, and possibly leading to spontaneous street dance-offs that will confuse tourists and amaze locals. The countdown has begun, and as Lisbon holds its breath, the question remains: Will it be a weekend of jubilant screams or sulking tantrums? Nothing like football in Portugal to turn youthful joy into rivalry-fueled chaos!