Preview: Benfica vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

With just six points separating the sides and Porto also in the hunt, this is a monumental clash in potentially deciding where the league crown will go.

Match preview

Benfica face the real prospect of blowing the title if they fail to win this encounter, having blundered spectacularly in recent weeks.

Having had a 10-point lead during the international break, two defeats and elimination from the Champions League represented a dreadful few weeks for the club.

Losing to Porto and Chaves has cut the lead to four points, so it is still firmly in their own hands, but fears have crept into the side.

Benfica have maintained the lead at the top, but have done so with nervy victories over Estoril and Gil Vicente, since their European exit at the hands of Inter Milan.

They have dropped just five points at the Estadio da Luz all season, but they did come against Porto and Sporting Lisbon, so there is further fear that they will struggle against another of Portugal's big clubs.

To add to those fears, Braga have already beaten Benfica twice this season, in league and cup.

A win for the visitors could mean that just three points will separate the top three by the end of the weekend with three games remaining.

Braga will also know that Benfica still have an away Lisbon derby to play before the season is up, but they will also need to win all three of their own games with a huge swing in goal difference to truly put the pressure on.

Their seven-point gap to Sporting in fourth suggests that Champions League qualification is all but secured at least for them to fall back on if they are unable to pull off the remarkable.

Artur Jorge's side have only dropped nine points away from home all season, winning 12 of their 15 games on the road, but they have suffered some heavy defeats to the big boys.

This season alone Sporting have beaten them 5-0 twice, while they also lost 4-1 away to Porto earlier in the campaign.

Braga can take solace in the fact they have won on two of their last three visits here, but they have also shipped six goals on two occasions since 2018, including last season.

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Benfica form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

W

Braga Primeira Liga form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Braga form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

W

Team News

Julian Draxler is the only Benfica player currently out injured, as the German continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Teenager Joao Neves has been handed back-to-back starts by manager Roger Schmidt, and could well keep his place.

Right-back Alexander Bah returned to the squad against Gil Vicente after four games out, but Fredrik Aursnes was preferred as a makeshift for the game.

Andre Castro remains out injured for Braga, but Tormena will be available again after serving a suspension against Portimonense.

All eyes will be on Ricardo Horta who has scored in his last three appearances, reaching double figures for the sixth season in succession as a Braga player.

Pizzi will return to the club where he spent eight illustrious years between 2014 and 2022, but may start on the bench.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Bah, Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Grimaldo; Joao Neves, Aursnes, Joao Mario; Neres, Goncalo Ramos, Rafa

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Gomez, Paulo Oliveira, Niakate, Borja; Iuri Medeiros, Andre Horta, Al Musrati, Bruma; Ricardo Horta, Abel Ruiz

We say: Benfica 1-0 Braga

Benfica have been edging past opponents and just about getting the job done to cling onto their lead at the top, and it will be a big statement if they can again.

Previews by email