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

Roger Schmidt's side, who claimed a comfortable win over Maccabi Haifa in their Champions League group-stage opener last time out, will be aiming to maintain their 100% domestic record.

Match preview

Famalicao were sent crashing down to earth in the Primeira Liga as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Portimonense when the sides squared off last Sunday.

Brazilian international Pedrao came up clutch at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao as found the back of the net five minutes after the hour mark to hand the hosts a fourth win on the bounce.

Prior to that, Famailcao failed to win any of their opening three games of the season, picking up one point from the first nine available before narrowly beating Santa Clara 1-0 on home turf on August 28.

With four points from five games, Rui Silva's men are currently 16th in the Primeira Liga standings, only above Pacos de Ferreira and Maritimo, who have both lost each of their five games this season.

Next up for Famalicao is the daunting challenge of taking on a Benfica side who are unbeaten in the last eight meetings between the sides, claiming five wins and three draws since December 2019.

Schmidt's side got their quest for European glory underway in style as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa in their Champions League Group H curtain-raiser on Tuesday.

In a thrilling contest at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Rafa Silva and Alejandro Grimaldo scored in a five-minute spell in the second half to hand the Portuguese outfit a comfortable opening-day victory.

Benfica now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they hold a two-point lead at the top of the table and remain the only side yet to drop any points this season after winning each of their opening five games.

As Aguias head into the weekend on a blistering run of 16 consecutive victories across all competitions, scoring an impressive 46 goals and keeping nine clean sheets since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Porto on May 7.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

Famalicao form (all competitions):

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

Team News

Famalicao will take to the pitch without the services of Spanish midfielder Ivan Jaime, who has been out of action since January after suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament.

The Vila Nova have struggled to get going in attack this season and Silva could ring a few changes to his starting XI, with Jhonder Cadiz potentially coming in for his third appearance of the season.

Loan signing Alex Millan is yet to register a score or an assist despite starting each of the opening five games of the season and the 22-year-old striker could cede his position to Rui Fonte, who will push for his second starting appearance of the season.

Meanwhile, Benfica will not be at full strength in attack this weekend as the duo of Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario are currently suspended after both receiving their marching orders late in the dramatic win over Vizela.

In their absence, Portuguese forward Diogo Goncalves should be thrown into the fray, while Julian Draxler, who recently completed a move from Paris Saint-Germain, could be handed his highly-anticipated debut.

On the injury front, Schmidt will have to make do without the Brazilian duo of Joao Victor and Lucas Verissimo, who are currently recuperating from muscle and knee injuries respectively.

Despite the arrival of John Brooks, Antonio Silva should pair with Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence for the third consecutive game after Felipe Morato sustained an injury back in August, while fellow defender Tomas Tavares has been sidelined through a severe knee problem.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Fuente, Mihaj, Riccieli, Lima; Youssouf, Colombatto, Tavares, Simoes; Fonte, Cadiz

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Silva, Grimaldo; Fernandez, Luis; Neres, Silva, Draxler; Musa

We say: Famalicao 0-2 Benfica

Benfica have flown out of the blocks this season, winning each of their 10 games across all competitions this season. As Aguias are currently firing on all cylinders and we are backing them to comfortably see off a Famalicao side who have lost three of their five games this season.

Previews by email