Benficavs.Estrela Amadora

Both sides have already met once this season, with As Aguias claiming a 1-0 victory in their Primeira Liga clash back in August thanks to a first-half strike from Orkun Kokcu.

Match preview

Benfica turned in a performance of the highest quality in their final outing before the international break as they thrashed rivals Porto 4-1 in the latest edition of the heated O Classico on November 10.

After Alvaro Carreras and Samuel Omorodion scored for either side to end the first half level, veteran forward Angel Di Maria put on a show in the second half as he scored either side of Nehuen Perez's 61st-minute own goal to inspire the hosts to a comfortable victory.

Prior to that, Benfica saw this run of three back-to-back victories across all competitions come to an end on November 6, when they were beaten 1-0 by German powerhouse Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena courtesy of Jamal Musiala's 67th-minute effort.

With the result against Porto, Bruno Lage's men have now picked up eight wins and one draw from their 10 Primeira Liga matches to sit third in the standings, eight points adrift of league leaders Sporting Lisbon, albeit with one game in hand.

Benfica now turn their focus to the Taca de Portugal, where they kicked off their quest for a record-extending 27th title with a 2-0 third-round victory over Campeonato de Portugal outfit Pevidem on October 19 courtesy of a brace from German midfielder Jan-Niklas Beste.

Estrela Amadora, on the other hand, avoided an upset in the Taca de Portugal third round on October 19 when they needed extra-time to secure a 3-1 victory over third-tier Anadia at the Estadio Municipal Engenheiro Sílvio Henriques Cerveira on October 19.

Yan Maranhao struck in the 25th minute to put Anadia in front before Pedro Gaio inadvertently netted a 92nd-minute own goal to level matters and take the tie to extra-time, where Rodrigo Pinho and Andre Luiz hit the target to turn the game on its head.

Estrela Amadora head into this weekend's clash off the back of snapping their three-game winless run in the Primeira Liga on November 11, when they edged out Nacional 2-0 at the Estadio Jose Gomes thanks to late goals from Paulo Moreira and 26-year-old Kikas.

Jose Faria's men have struggled for consistency in the league this season, losing six of their 11 matches so far while claiming two wins and three draws to collect nine points and sit 15th in the standings, just one point above the bottom three.

While Estrela will be looking to pick up from where they left off against Nacional and march on in their cup quest on Saturday, they face the daunting challenge of taking on a Benfica side who have won each of their previous seven encounters since November 2008.

Benfica Taca de Portugal form:

W

Benfica form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

L

W

Estrela Amadora Taca de Portugal form:

W

Estrela Amadora form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

L

W

Team News

Benfica remain without the services of 23-year-old forward Tiago Gouveia, who has been out of action since coming off with a shoulder injury in the 1-0 victory over Estrela Amadora back in August.

He is joined on As Aguias' injury table by teenage forward Gianluca Prestianni, who has missed each of the last seven matches since sustaining an ankle injury back in October.

Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro picked up a thigh problem while on international duty against Northern Ireland on November 18 and the 24-year-old is ruled out of Saturday's clash.

As for Estrala, Bruno Brigido was forced off injured midway through the game against Nacional last time out and the 33-year-old goalkeeper is a doubt for the trip to the Estadio da Luz.

Should he fail to shake off the injury, former Porto man Francisco Meixedo should start between the sticks, with Danilo Veiga, Ferro, Miguel Lopes and 35-year-old Ruben Lima forming the back four.

At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect Rodrigo Pinho and Jovane Cabral to form the two-man attack while Igor Jesus and Brazilian midfielder Leo Cordeiro should retain their roles at the centre of the park.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Carreras; Aursnes, Luis; Di Maria, Kokcu, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Meixedo; Veiga, Ferro, Lopes, Lima; Bucca, Jesus, Cordeiro, Nilton; Pinho, Cabral

We say: Benfica 3-1 Estrela Amadora

Following their emphatic victory over Porto last time out, Benfica will look to keep the juggernaut rolling this weekend as they take on an Estrela side who have struggled for consistency this season.

Given the gulf in quality and depth between the two teams, and their contrasting form, we fancy Lage's men to come away with the desired result in normal time.

Previews by email