Round 20 of the Primeira Liga will see Estrela Amadora and Benfica clash at the Estadio Jose Gomes on Sunday.
The relegation-threatened hosts will go in search of their first win since December in hopes of halting a four-game winless run, whereas the second-placed visitors will aim to avoid three consecutive losses on the road for the first time in 15 years.
Match preview
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Estrela finished 2024 in a respectable 12th position in the standings, with 16 points after 16 matches, but results have not gone the way of the hosts since the turn of the year.
The Tricolours have endured a rough start to 2025, failing to win in four top-flight fixtures and now finding themselves in danger of extending their winless run to five matches for the first time since September 2024.
The current form of Jose Faria's team has halted their march towards the top half of the standings, sending them tumbling down the table right into a relegation dogfight at the moment.
Another source of worry for Faria is the outcome of the recent matches on their turf; the hosts succumbed to a 4-2 loss against Estoril in gameweek 19, ending their three-match winning streak and three-month unbeaten streak at home, before falling 1-0 against Sporting Braga for their second consecutive defeat in front of their own fans.
Despite their recent struggles at home, only five teams in the entire league have won more games than Estrela on their stomping ground with 14 of their total 17 points earned at home.
Ahead of this fixture, the hosts will back themselves to eke out a positive outcome, given the recent results of the visitors away from home, however, a loss will send them into the bottom two if SC Farense claim an unlikely win at Sporting Lisbon this weekend.
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Meanwhile, Benfica were on the losing end in their last league outing at the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maio, suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Casa Pia, who are chasing a ticket for European football next season.
With 41 points and only six adrift of Sporting Lisbon at the top of the standings, Benfica will be keen to claim a win, as they look to arrest the decline which saw them claim a solitary win in their last four top-flight fixtures.
However, having lost their last two games on the road, a defeat this weekend will make it three losses away from home for the first time since September 2010.
Nevertheless, the Eagles have always enjoyed a memorable trip to Estrela, with a 4-1 triumph in the corresponding fixture last season, while they have already beaten this weekend's opponents 7-0 this season during a cup game at Estadio da Luz.
In addition to their good record against the hosts, Benfica boasts the second-best attack in the entire league, having scored 43 goals this term, averaging 2.26 per match - a trend which the hosts should worry about, having shipped five in their last two league outings.
Team News
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Bruno Brigido has left Estrela for Academico de Viseu during the January transfer window, meaning Marko Gudzulic is expected to step up between the sticks for the hosts.
Danilo Veiga and Tiago Gabriel have also departed, and that could force Jose Faria to ring the changes at the back, as a result, Ferro should start in defence, while Diogo Travassos could be involved from the start as a right wing-back in what is expected to be a new formation.
As for the visitors, Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored in their last outing in their Champions League meeting against Juventus should lead the line on Sunday.
Also, Alvaro Carreras should get his starting XI spot back after missing out on the fixture against Juventus due to a ban.
Tiago Gouveia (knee) and Renato Sanches (muscle) are not expected to be part of the travelling party for this fixture.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Gudzulic; Drame, Ferro, Lima; Varela, Keliano, Moreira, Veiga; Ruiz, Pinho, Santana
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Otamendi, Araujo, Silva, Carreras; Aursnes, Florentino; Schjelderup, Kokcu, Di Maria; Pavlidis
We say: Estrela Amadora 0-2 Benfica
Estrela have been decent at home for most of the season, however, their form in front of their fans has taken a hit with two losses on the trot.
Meanwhile, Benfica have dominated meetings between both sides, and although the visitors have suffered some setbacks on their travels lately, there is still some quality within the squad to further stretch their supremacy over the home team on Sunday as they look to close in on Sporting Lisbon at the top of the standings - therefore, we back the away team to earn a 2-0 win on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
