In the second of two successive meetings, Estoril Praia and Benfica go head to head at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in round four of the Taca de Portugal on Wednesday.

Nelson Verrssimo's side will head into the cup tie looking to exact revenge against the visitors after suffering a disappointing defeat when the teams squared off in the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

Match preview

Estoril Praia's Francisco Geraldes in action on February 20, 2022 © Reuters

Estoril Praia failed to find their feet in the Primeira Liga as they fell to a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Benfica when the sides met last Sunday.

Goals from Petar Musa, Joao Mario, Mihailo Ristic and a brace from Antonio Silva put the visitors in a commanding five-goal lead before substitute Serginho scored a 91st-minute consolation.

Estoril Praia have now failed to win any of their last three matches, picking up one draw and losing twice since claiming a 3-2 victory over AF Setubal First Division side Amor FC in their Taca de Portugal opener on October 14.

Verrssimo's men, who are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga standings with 16 points from 12 games, now turn their attention to the Taca de Portugal, where they are one win away from equaling last season's round-of-16 exit.

However, standing in their way is a bogey Benfica side against whom they have failed to defeat in each of their last 20 attempts, losing 17 and managing just three draws since January 2013.

Joao Mario celebrates scoring for Benfica against Juventus on October 25, 2022 © Reuters

Roger Schmidt's side could not have hoped for a better start to the 2022-23 campaign as they sit first in the Primeira Liga standings with an eight-point cushion over second-placed Porto.

As Aguias are also the only unbeaten side in the Portuguese top flight this season after picking up 11 wins in their opening 12 games, with a goalless draw with Vitoria de Guimaraes on October 1 being the only exception.

Benfica's domestic form has also been in keeping with their superb performances in Europe, where they finished first in Group H of the Champions League, leapfrogging Paris Saint-Germain on the final matchday thanks to more away goals scored after both sides finished level on 14 points, with the same goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded.

The 2018-19 Primeira Liga champions now return to the Taca de Portugal, where they avoided an upset in their opening game on October 15 as they were held to a 1-1 draw by lower-tier Caldas SC before seeing off the Campeonato de Portugal side 5-3 on penalties.

Since then, Benfica have picked up five consecutive victories across all competitions, scoring a staggering 21 goals and conceding five in that time, while they remain unbeaten in each of their last 29 outings since May's 1-0 loss to Porto.

Estoril Praia Taca de Portugal form:

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

Benfica Taca de Portugal form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

Team News

Benfica's Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring against Maccabi Haifa on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

Daniel Figueira missed the weekend's game against Benfica due to a one-match suspension but the 24-year-old should start between the sticks on Wednesday, replacing backup goalkeeper Pedro Silva.

The Canarinhos will also be boosted by the return of defender Pedro Alvaro, who was also absent from the matchday squad at the weekend after crossing the yellow--card threshold with his booking against Portimonense on October 30.

The 22-year-old should form the back four with Tiago Santos, Lucas Africo and experienced full-back Joaozinho, who has started all 12 league games this season, while Rosier Loreintz and Mor Ndiaye should form the midfield pivot once again.

At the attacking end of the pitch, Erison should lead the line for the seventh consecutive game, while we expect Francisco Geraldes and Rodrigo Martins to retain their roles in the final third.

Meanwhile, there are no fresh injury updates in the Benfica camp as summer signing Julian Draxler continues his spell on the sidelines after picking up a muscle problem against Porto on October 21.

He is joined on the club's injury table by Felipe Morato, who has been out of action since August through a severe ankle injury.

We expect Schmidt to name a rotated squad on Wednesday, with defenders Ristic and John Brooks potentially coming into the XI, while David Neres and Diogo Goncalves could be handed starting roles.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Santos, Alvaro, Africo, Joaozinho; Rosier, Ndiaye; Siliki, Carvalho, Martins; Erison

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Brooks, Ristic; Luis, Fernandez, Goncalves; Neres, Silva, Musa

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We say: Estoril Praia 0-3 Benfica

While Estoril Praia will be looking to get one over Benfica, As Aguias head into the midweek clash firing on all cylinders and unbeaten in 29 consecutive games. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we anticipate that Benfica will come away with a comfortable victory on Wednesday.

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Top tip

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