Benfica continue their title defence on Sunday even when they play host to Gil Vicente at the Estadio da Luz in round 20 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
The Gilistas have enjoyed an impressive start to the year and will head into the weekend seeking to make it three wins on the bounce for the first time since April 2021.
Match preview
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Benfica kept up the pressure on Primeira Liga leaders Sporting Lisbon as they cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over 10-man Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Jose Gomes on Monday.
In a game where Regis N'Do received his marching orders, Leo Jaba opened the scoring in the 28th minute to put the hosts in front, but Arthur Cabral, Rafa Silva, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Leonardo all found the back of the net to turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Roger Schmidt's men saw their eight-game winning streak across all competitions come to an end on January 24, when they were beaten on penalties by Estoril Praia in their Taca da Liga semi-final clash.
With Monday's result, Benfica have now gone 18 consecutive games without defeat in the Primeira Liga, picking up 15 wins and three draws since falling to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Boavista in August's season curtain-raiser.
Having clinched a record 38th league title last season, As Aguias have enjoyed a solid title defence as they currently sit second in the league table with 48 points from 19 matches, just one point behind first-placed Sporting Lisbon.
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Gil Vicente, on the other hand, maintained their impressive start to the new year as they picked up a deserved 1-0 victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes when the sides squared off last Sunday.
Swiss forward Maxime Dominguez grabbed the headlines at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos as he netted the only goal of the game to condemn Guimaraes to just their fifth league defeat of the season.
Vítor Campelos's men are now unbeaten in four consecutive games since a 1-0 loss to Farense in their first game of the year, claiming one draw and three wins, including a 3-1 victory over Amarante in the Taca de Portugal on January 10.
While Gil Vicente are currently on their longest run of games without defeat since May 2023, they will need to be at their best this weekend as they take on a Benfica side who are unbeaten in 18 of their last 20 meetings, claiming 16 wins and two draws since August 2011.
The Gilistas have picked up six wins in their 19 Primeira Liga matches so far while losing nine and claiming four draws to collect 22 points and sit ninth in the league table, level on points with Arouca and Famalicao.
Team News
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Former Paris Saint-Germain man Juan Bernat has been sidelined since suffering a muscle injury back in October and the 30-year-old is out of contention for Benfica.
He is joined on the club's injury table by 23-year-old forward Casper Tengstedt, who is yet to make an appearance this year after suffering a thigh injury against AVS on December 21.
January signing Leonardo has hit the ground running for As Aguias and the former Santos man, who has three goals in three substitute appearances, could be rewarded with a place in the XI.
As for Gil Vicente, 24-year-old striker Depu is currently away with the Angola national team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations and will play no part in Sunday's game.
On the injury front, Campelos will be unable to name veteran goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury against Famalicao in February 2023.
Portuguese midfielder Pedro Tiba has missed each of the last six matches after coming off injured against Arouca on December 16 and is also ruled out for the Gilistas.
Off the back of a solid defensive display against Guimaraes, we expect an unchanged back four of Ze Carlos, Gabriel Pereira, Ruben Fernandes and Leonardo Buta, with Andrew retaining his role between the sticks.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Neves, Kokcu; Di Maria, Silva, Mario; Cabral
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Pereira, Fernandes, Buta; Castillo; Dominguez, Fujimoto, Neto, Souza; Correia
We say: Benfica 3-1 Gil Vicente
Gil Vicente have turned a corner in recent weeks but will need their A-game against a high-flying Benfica side. As Aguias are currently firing on all cylinders in the league and we are tipping them to come out victorious in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
