Having booked their spot in the round of 16 of the Europa League in midweek, Benfica return to action in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with a home clash against Portimonense on Sunday.
The Alvinegros head into the weekend on a run of four back-to-back defeats against the home side and will journey to the Estadio da Luz looking to end this two-year spell.
Match preview
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Benfica were involved in a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game on their travels as they played out a goalless draw with Toulouse in the second leg of the Europa League playoff on Thursday.
However, a 2-1 victory in Portugal a fortnight ago was enough to hand As Aguias an aggregate victory and send them through to the round of 16, where they have been drawn against Scottish powerhouse Rangers.
Benfica now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they have been impressive in their title defence and are currently in a heated two-horse race with rivals Sporting Lisbon at the top of the league standings.
Roger Schmidt's men have picked up 55 points from their 22 matches so far and sit second in the table, level on points with Sporting Lisbon, albeit having played one more game than the Leoes.
Benfica now return to the Estadio da Luz where they are on a run of three consecutive wins across all competitions, while they are one of just two sides yet to suffer defeat at home in the Primeira Liga, having picked up nine wins and two draws in their 11 matches.
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Over in the South, Portimonense continue to struggle for results at the wrong end of the table as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao last Saturday.
The Alvinegros were guilty of a wasteful display in front of goal as substitute Guga struck in the 79th minute to cancel out Andre Silva's 20th-minute opener and force a share of the spoils.
Portimonense have now failed to win 10 of their last 12 matches across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing eight, including a 4-1 defeat against Braga in the Taca de Portugal fourth round on November 25.
Paulo Sergio's men have picked up 21 points so far to occupy 13th place in the Primeira Liga table but remain firmly in the relegation conversation as they sit just one point above Estrela Amadora in the relegation playoff spot.
Next up for Portimonense is the daunting challenge of taking on a Benfica side who are on a four-game winning streak in this fixture and are unbeaten in 15 of their last 17 meetings, claiming 12 wins and three draws since October 2010.
Team News
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Benfica remain without the services of former Paris Saint-Germain man Juan Bernat, who has been sidelined since October through a muscle injury.
Having recently recovered from a slight injury, January signing Gianluca Prestianni was an unused substitute in the league game against Vizela last Sunday and the teenage striker could be in the matchday squad once again.
Orkun Kokcu and 24-year-old midfielder Florentino Luis missed As Aguias' last league outing through suspension but they should both return to the fold this weekend.
David Neres was involved in four goals as Benfica thrashed Vizela 6-1 last weekend and the Brazilian forward should retain his role in the As Aguias XI, teaming up with Rafa Silva, Angel Di Maria and Casper Tengstedt in attack.
As for Portimonense, Sergio will be unable to call upon the services of January signing Tamble Monteiro, who continues his spell on the sidelines through a slight injury.
He is joined on Alvinegros injury table by 25-year-old midfielder Paulo Estrela, who has missed the last five matches after coming off injured against Farnese on January 12.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Morato; Luis, Neves; Neres, Silva, Di Maria; Tengstedt
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Formiga, Pedrao, Alemao, Relvas; Jasper, Dener; Carrillo, Carlinhos, Varela; Pereira
We say: Benfica 3-0 Portimonense
Benfica and Portimonense have had a contrasting campaign, with the Alvinegros scrambling for points at the bottom end of the table. Both form and history are on Benfica's side this weekend and we are backing them to claim all three points unscathed.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
