Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Benfica - prediction, team news, lineups

The Canarinhos, on the other hand, will head into the weekend desperate to get one over the visitors, having failed to win any of the last 19 meetings between the sides since January 2013.

Match preview

Estoril Praia failed to return to winning ways as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Portimonense when the sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao last Sunday.

In a game where Daniel Figueira received his marching orders, Erison netted in the 22nd minute to hand the visitors a first-half lead before Welinton Junior restored parity from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Prior to that, Estoril Praia saw their run of five consecutive games without defeat come to an end on October 22 when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Braga courtesy of first-half goals from Mutassim Al Musrati and Vitinha.

Estoril Praia have now picked up four wins, four draws and lost three of their 11 league matches this season to collect 16 points and sit 10th in the standings, but could potentially rise level on points with sixth-placed Sporting Lisbon with all three points this weekend.

However, Nelson Verissimo's side return home where they have struggled to grind out results this season and are currently on a four-game winless run, picking up two points from a possible 12 since August's 2-0 opening-day victory over Famalicao.

While they will be looking to end this dry spell, Sunday's game puts them against a rampant Benfica side, who are unbeaten in the last 19 meetings between the teams since January 2013, claiming 16 wins and three draws in that time.

Elsewhere, Benfica turned in a performance of the highest quality as they secured a remarkable 6-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday to secure top spot in Group H of the Champions League.

With the scores level at half time, the Portuguese side ran riot in the second half as Petar Musa, Alejandro Grimaldo, Rafa Silva, Henrique Araujo and Joao Mario found the target to cap off a superb team performance.

Tuesday's victory helped Benfica beat Paris Saint-Germain to top spot in Group H thanks to more away goals scored after both sides finished level on 14 points, with the same goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded.

Rodger Schmidt's side have now picked up five consecutive victories across all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last 28 games across all competitions, stretching back to May's 1-0 defeat against Porto.

As Aguias now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are challenging for their first title since the 2018-19 campaign, having picked up 10 wins and one draw from their 11 matches to sit top of the league standings with a six-point cushion over second-placed Braga.

Benfica's solid start to the season has been down to their defensive sturdiness as they boast the league's best record with eight clean sheets and five goals conceded so far, while scoring 29 goals at the opposite end of the pitch.

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Team News

Estoril Praia will be without first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Figueira, who will serve his one-match suspension after picking up a red card against Portimonense last Sunday.

In his absence, former Sporting Lisbon man Pedro Silva will start between the sticks for the first time this season, standing behind the centre-back pair of Lucas Africo and Pedro Alvaro.

Having missed two straight games, Tiago Gouveia was named on the bench against Portimonense and the 21-year-old, who has five goal involvements this season, could return to the XI this weekend.

As far as Benfica are concerned, summer signing Julian Draxler is out of contention for Sunday's game after picking up a muscle problem versus Porto on October 21.

Another name on As Aguias' injury table is Brazilian international Felipe Morato, who continues his spell on the sidelines after sustaining a severe ankle injury in August.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Silva; Santos, Alvaro, Africo, Joaozinho; Rosier, Ndiaye; Siliki, Gouveia, Martins; Erison

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Aursnes, Fernandez; Neres, Silva, Mario; Ramos

We say: Estoril Praia 0-3 Benfica

Benfica head into the weekend as one of the most in-form sides in the division and will be backing themselves against an Estoril Praia side who have struggled for results on home turf. Looking at past results between the sides, we are tipping Schmidt's side to claim a comfortable victory.

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