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

The Segunda Liga outfit, on the other hand, will head into the weekend seeking to get their campaign back on track after suffering a home defeat against Moreirense in their group opener.

Match preview

High-flying Benfica maintained their fine run of results as they claimed a 3-2 victory over a resilient Estrela Amadora side in their Taca da Liga curtain-raiser last Sunday.

After taking a 2-1 lead into halftime courtesy of goals from Petar Musa and Chiquinho, Julian Draxler struck in the 90th minute to make sure of the victory before Gustavo Henrique scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to half the deficit.

As Aguias have now won each of their last nine matches across all competitions, scoring 29 goals and keeping three clean sheets since a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on October 11.

This blistering run of results has seen Rodger Schmidt's side reach the round of 16 of the Taca de Portugal, where they are vying for their first title since the 2016-17 campaign, and finish as group winners in the Champions League.

Benfica, who will be looking to surpass last season's round-of-16 exit and secure a record-extending eighth Taca da Liga crown, head into the weekend unbeaten in their last 32 matches across all competitions, dating back to last season's 1-0 loss to Porto in May.

Penafiel, on the other hand, were denied a dream start to their cup campaign as they bottled their lead before falling to a 2-1 defeat against Moreirense at the Estadio Municipal 25 de Abril two Thursdays ago.

After taking a 1-0 lead into half time courtesy of a 30th-minute strike from former Salernitana forward Roberto, the hosts imploded in the final stages of the game as Stivan Petkov and Andre Luis scored in the final 10 minutes to turn the game on its head.

Prior to that, the Rubro-Negros returned to winning ways in the Segunda Liga on November 12, when they edged out Benfica B 2-1 away from home to end their five-match winless run across all competitions.

Filo's men, who are currently 11th in the second division standings with 18 points from 13 matches, head into the weekend unbeaten in seven consecutive away matches across all competitions, claiming four wins and three draws since August's 3-0 loss at Mafra.

While Penafiel will be looking to maintain this fine run and get their cup campaign back on track, next up is the stern test of taking on a rampant Benfica side who have won each of the last three meetings between the teams since February 2014.

Benfica Taca da Liga form:

W

Benfica form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Penafiel Taca da Liga form:

L

Penafiel form (all competitions):

L

L

Team News

Benfica will be without several key players who are currently featuring for their respective nations at the World Cup, including the trio of Antonio Silva, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario, who are with the Portuguese squad.

Enzo Fernandez, who has four goal involvements in the league this season, and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi are also representing the Argentine national team and will play no part in this weekend's matchup.

In their absence, As Aguias still got the job done against a dogged Estrela Amadora last Sunday and we expect Schmidt to name an unchanged XI for the second consecutive game.

With that being said, we should see a back four of Alejandro Grimaldo, John Brooks, Joao Victor and Gilberto, with Rafa Silva, David Neres and Musa tasked with handling business at the opposite end of the pitch.

Penafiel, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without former Arouca striker Adílio, who came off with a 22nd-minute injury in the league game against Benfica B on November 12.

In his absence, Roberto, who has three goals to his name in the Segunda Liga this season, should retain his starting role in the attack, teaming up with Edi Semedo and Pacos de Ferreira loanee Adriano Castanheira.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Grimaldo, Victor, Brooks, Gilberto; Luis, Goncalves, Chiquinho; Neres, Silva, Musa

Penafiel possible starting lineup:

Macedo; Freitas, Tagliapietra, Junio, Figueiredo; Batista, Braga, Reko; Semedo, Roberto, Castanheira

We say: Benfica 3-1 Penafiel

Benfica are currently firing on all cylinders and head into the weekend on a run of nine consecutive victories in all competitions. As Aguias take on a struggling Penafiel side who have failed to win six of their last seven outings and we predict they will cruise to a comfortable victory on Saturday.

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