Fresh off the most dramatic Champions League encounter in midweek, Benfica resume Primeira Liga action on Saturday when they travel to Casa Pia for their 19th match of the competition.
The Eagles suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 home defeat to Spanish side Barcelona on Tuesday, having squandered a two-goal lead with 12 minutes remaining.
Match preview
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Benfica couldn't have asked for a better start against Barca, taking the lead inside two minutes through Vangelis Pavlidis, and although Hansi Flick's side equalised 11 minutes later through Robert Lewandowski, the Greek striker added two more goals in quick succession (22', 30') to complete his hat-trick before halftime.
The second half started at a slower pace, with Raphinha pulling one back for the visitors in the 64th minute, but an own goal by Ronald Araujo four minutes later restored As Águias' two-goal cushion.
With just 12 minutes left, Benfica seemed on course for a famous victory over the Catalan giants, but a dramatic comeback began with a Lewandowski penalty (78'), followed by an Eric Garcia header (86'), before Raphinha sealed the win with the last kick of the game. As a result, the Eagles slipped further down the Champions League standings.
However, it was a contrasting tale in the Primeira Liga for Bruno Lage's side, who claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory over Famalicão in their most recent league outing, lifting them to second in the table.
That win ended a two-game losing streak and brought Benfica's tally to 40 points from 13 wins, two draws and three losses, and they now sit three points behind Sporting Lisbon, who lead the standings.
The Eagles have been in formidable attacking form, scoring at least three goals in each of their last three matches, and will look to capitalise on Casa Pia's defensive struggles, with the hosts failing to keep a clean sheet in seven of their last eight outings across all competitions.
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Casa Pia, meanwhile, have found solace in their attacking output, scoring in each of their last eight matches, with 13 goals yielding four wins, two draws, and just one defeat.
Six of those encounters came in the Primeira Liga, where they remained unbeaten in that stretch, winning four and drawing two.
The most recent of their impressive league run was a 3-2 away victory over Boavista, a result that propelled them to sixth in the standings with 27 points from seven wins, six draws and five losses.
Aiming to maintain their strong form, Casa Pia must overcome an unfavourable head-to-head record, having lost four of their five meetings against Benfica.
Os Gansos' record at Pina Manique has not been particularly convincing, with three wins, four draws and two defeats placing them as the 11th-best home side in the division.
Team News
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Benfica will be without Renato Sanches (thigh) and Tiago Gouveia (shoulder), who remain sidelined until mid-March and mid-February, respectively.
Pavlidis is in fine form, netting four goals in his last two matches, and the Greek striker is expected to lead the line again on Saturday.
Manuel Jorge Silva completed a midweek move from Vitoria de Guimaraes, though this match might come too soon for the midfielder.
Andrian Kraev and Gaizka Larrazabal are unavailable for the hosts, both serving suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards.
Casa Pia's top scorer, Cassiano, who has five league goals, is currently on a four-game goal drought in the top flight and will be eager to end his barren run when he leads the line this weekend.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Tchamba, Fonte, Goulart; Larrazabal, Beni, Sousa, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Moreira
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Araujo, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Barreiro, Luis; Schjelderup, Akturkoglu, Kokcu; Pavlidis
We say: Casa Pia 2-3 Benfica
Despite Casa Pia's impressive league form, Benfica remain the favourites for this encounter, buoyed by their dominant record against the hosts.
The Geese will try to hold their ground, but the odds tilt in favour of the Eagles, making an away victory the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
