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

At a time when last season's champions are fourth in the standings, Vizela are in 12th position, a start that they will be content with as they bid to avoid a relegation scrap.

Match preview

Having started the new Primeira Liga season with a surprise defeat at Boavista, Benfica have been playing catch up ever since, yet it appears to have sharpened their focus.

Nine goals have been scored during a three-game winning streak, victories being posted against Estrela, Gil Vicente and Vitoria Guimaraes respectively.

After battling hard to edge out the middle of those teams in a five-goal thriller, Roger Schmidt's side thrashed Vitoria by a 4-0 scoreline before the international break.

The goals were shared around the team, like they have during the first four encounters, with veteran playmaker Angel Di Maria now having three strikes to his name.

With each of the other title contenders dropping points since the opening weekend, Benfica now only sit one point adrift of top spot, and they will expect to advance further up the table at the weekend.

From Vizela's perspective, they had given solid accounts of themselves during the early fixtures, despite only accumulating one point from three games.

Only losing 3-2 to a last-gasp winner for Sporting Lisbon highlighted their qualities, yet it took until last time out for performances to be turned into maximum points.

A second-half Matheus Pereira effort earned Vizela a 1-0 win over Gil Vicente, catapulting themselves into 12th position and leaving just two teams in Primeira Liga without a win.

Boss Pablo Villar will now feel that his side are very much on an upward trajectory, but the majority of this group of players have not fared favourably in matches against the top teams in Portugal since the turn of the year.

Vizela Primeira Liga form:

Vizela form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

L

W

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

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Team News

On the back of the win over Gil Vicente, Villar will look to name as close to the same team as possible.

If Villar opts to go more defensive, Orest Lebedenko - who is usually a full-back - could be used further down the left flank.

Eight players have started every game thus far, suggesting that Villar prefers continuity over feeling the need to make a variety of alterations.

Should each member of the Benfica squad that has been on international duty return without any injury issues, Schmidt could stick with the same starting lineup.

The likes of David Neres and Arthur Cabral are expected to remain among the replacements with Joao Mario and Petar Musa retaining their places in the final third.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Silva, Wilson, Anderson, Pereira; Bustamante, Samu; Moreira, Nascimento, Lacava; Essende

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Soares; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes; Neves, Kokcu; Di Maria, Rafa, Joao Mario; Musa

We say: Vizela 0-3 Benfica

Vizela will head into this fixture with a sense of freedom now that they have gotten their first win of the season on the board. However, with Benfica having ground to make up, they will be focused on showcasing their superior quality, and we expect the visitors to cruise to maximum points.

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