Preview: Benfica vs Porto – prediction, team news, lineups

Benfica have a direct alternative to scale back their deficit to the Primeira Liga summit as they welcome leaders Porto to Estadio da Luz for Saturday’s O’Classico.

Both sides are assembly for the third time this season, with the Eagles incomes a goalless draw within the league assembly at Estadio do Dragao in October earlier than being eradicated from the Taca de Portugal in a 1–0 defeat on the similar floor in January.

Match preview

Benfica’s Taca de Portugal elimination at Porto was the second setback in consecutive matches, having been knocked out of the League Cup semi-closing by Braga per week prior, narrowing the choices for silverware in Jose Mourinho’s second stint on the membership.

The Portuguese supervisor just lately noticed his aspect exit the Champions League playoffs on a 3–1 combination defeat following a 2–1 loss of their return leg at Real Madrid, bringing an finish to their journey in yet one more competitors.

That leaves Benfica with solely the Primeira Liga to compete in, they usually bounced again from their continental setback with a 2–1 league victory at Gil Vicente final weekend, when Andreas Schjelderup scored a 73rd-minute winner after Antonio Silva’s opener had been cancelled.

Currently on a 4-recreation profitable streak within the Portuguese high flight, the Eagles are additionally unbeaten in 39 matches within the competitors (W28, D11), relationship again to their loss towards Casa Pia on matchday 19 final time period.

Despite being the one aspect but to undergo a defeat within the league this season, Benfica sit third within the Primeira Liga standings, 4 factors behind second-positioned Sporting Lisbon and 7 adrift of leaders Porto, with this weekend’s Classico providing the Reds a direct alternative to trim the deficit and strengthen their late title problem.

The Eagles have gained every of their final 5 league video games at Da Luz, so they need to be assured coming into this excessive-stakes conflict, particularly having recorded victories the final two instances they hosted this fixture.

© Imago / Pro Sports Images

Meanwhile, there was a downturn in Porto’s fortunes on the highway, with the Dragons failing to win three of their final 4 away matches (D1, L2), the newest being a 1–0 defeat to Sporting on Tuesday within the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-closing.

That loss got here on the again of a 3–1 league success over Estoril Praia, with the Blue and whites securing most factors late on, as William Jose transformed from the spot in stoppage time earlier than Terem Moffi wrapped up the victory moments later along with his first purpose for the membership.

Currently on a 3-recreation profitable run within the Primeira Liga, Francesco Farioli’s males have taken most factors from 21 of their 24 league matches (D2, L1), a powerful return that leaves them 4 factors away from second-positioned Sporting.

With the Lions enjoying a day earlier away to fourth-positioned Braga, Porto may see their benefit trimmed earlier than kicking a ball and can intention to at the very least preserve their lead on the high, buoyed by a formidable document of 11 victories from 12 away league outings, making them the very best travellers within the division.

The Blue and whites are additionally second to none defensively, conceding the fewest objectives within the Primeira Liga marketing campaign (8) whereas holding essentially the most clear sheets (17), and they’ll hope that resilience proves decisive at Da Luz on Sunday.

 

Benfica Primeira Liga type:

Benfica type (all competitions):

Porto Primeira Liga type:

Porto type (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / ZUMA Press Wire

Benfica are sweating over the health of Fredrik Aursnes, who was pressured off in final weekend’s journey to Gil Vicente, leaving the Norwegian midfielder a significant doubt for Sunday’s Classico.

Absent in that match attributable to a again drawback, Georgiy Sudakov can also be unsure to characteristic, whereas Bruma may miss a fourth consecutive outing, and Joao Veloso continues to nurse a shoulder damage.

Having gone 4 video games with out scoring, Vangelis Pavlidis will likely be desirous to rediscover his contact and goals so as to add to his 20 league objectives, holding him simply two behind Sporting’s Luis Suarez within the Golden Boot race.

Meanwhile, Porto seem quick in assault, with Samu Omorodion and Luuk de Jong sidelined for the season with knee accidents, whereas winger Borja Sainz may miss a 3rd straight recreation for private causes.

Defensively, the Dragons will once more be with out lengthy-time period absentee Nehuen Perez, who’s recovering from an Achilles tendon drawback, whereas Jan Bednarek stays uncertain after being pressured off within the Portuguese Cup defeat to Sporting.

Veteran centre-again Thiago Silva has missed the final three fixtures attributable to damage, although he’s in a sophisticated stage of restoration, and it could not be stunning if the 41-yr-outdated earned some minutes this weekend.

Benfica attainable beginning lineup:

Trubin; Dedic, A Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Barreiro; Prestianni, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis 

Porto attainable beginning lineup:

D Costa; A Costa, Rosario, Kiwior, Zaidu; Froholdt, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Gul, Pietuszewski

We say: Benfica 1-0 Porto

Benfica are determined to take most factors to revive their title problem and enter the conflict with the benefit of brisker legs, as Porto are more likely to really feel the results of consecutive excessive-profile away video games.

The Eagles secured a 4–1 victory the final time they hosted this fixture, however this one is predicted to be tighter given Porto’s resilient defence.

 

For knowledge evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.