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

Benfica welcome Moreirense to the Estadio da Luz on Saturday for an necessary Primeira Liga encounter, with the hosts aiming to maintain their title hopes alive whereas the guests look to construct momentum after lastly ending a troublesome run of outcomes.

With solely 4 matches remaining, the Eagles stay in pursuit of the league leaders regardless of earlier setbacks, whereas the guests are hoping to stabilise their place in mid-desk after a a lot-wanted victory final outing.

Match preview

Benfica step into this fixture driving the emotional excessive of a dramatic victory over Sporting Lisbon within the Derby de Lisboa – simply when it appeared the sport would drift away from them for one more stalemate, Rafa Silva appeared in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 win, conserving their title chase alive.

It was a consequence that adopted a composed 2-0 win over Nacional, and collectively, these victories have helped regular the temper after the frustration of a 1-1 draw with Casa Pia, a recreation the place they didn’t reap the benefits of a slip from Porto.

That victory over Sporting ensured Jose Mourinho’s aspect maintained their exceptional unbeaten run within the Primeira Liga, which now stretches to 45 matches (W32, D13), displaying their consistency even when attracts have confirmed expensive.

Benfica stay the one unbeaten aspect within the division this season, however their 9 stalemates have made it troublesome to shut the hole on the prime, leaving them with little room for additional slip-ups within the remaining fixtures as they path Porto by seven factors with 4 matches left to play.

They will hope for no slip-ups at Estadio da Luz, the place their current type has been distinctive, with seven wins from their final eight house league matches, a streak they are going to be optimistic of extending towards a Moreirense that they haven’t misplaced to of their final 5 conferences.

Benfica have received three of these matches whereas drawing two, together with a commanding 4-0 victory earlier this season, a efficiency and consequence they may hope to duplicate as they give the impression of being to maintain their profitable run and slim title ambitions alive.

© Imago / Ball Raw Images

Moreirense, in the meantime, arrive in Lisbon with renewed confidence after ending a prolonged winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Estoril of their final match.

That consequence marked a major turnaround for Vasco Botelho da Costa’s aspect, who had beforehand gone seven video games with no win (3D, 4L), a run that had seen them slide away from the European dialog and right into a mid-desk battle.

Earlier struggles had been largely pushed by defensive points, with Moreirense conceding in 10 consecutive matches, whereas additionally they failed to seek out the online in all 4 defeats inside that interval.

The victory over Estoril not solely halted their slide but in addition offered a a lot-wanted clear sheet, addressing considered one of their largest weaknesses in current weeks.

The Green and whites may have such defensive solidity as soon as once more if they’re to depart Estadio da Luz with something – although the final time they acquired a optimistic consequence from this floor was a 1-1 attract 2022.

Benfica Primeira Liga type:

Moreirense Primeira Liga type:

Team News

© Imago / Avant Sports

Benfica are anticipated to have a robust squad obtainable, with Mourinho prone to retain the core of the aspect that secured victory of their final outing as they give the impression of being to construct continuity.

Long-term absentee Bruma (Achilles tendon) stays the one confirmed absentee, whereas defender Tomas Araujo is questionable for this conflict.

Vangelis Pavlidis will look to return to scoring methods, with the Greek ahead, on 21 league objectives, seeking to lose down Sporting’s Luis Suarez, who’s on 24 objectives, within the Golden Boot race.

Moreirense additionally come into the match with out Alvaro Martinez, Michel (muscle) and Vasco Sousa (leg) all sidelined with accidents.

Defender Dinis Pinto is nearing a return from a shoulder difficulty, however this recreation might come too early for the 25-12 months-outdated Portuguese. 

Benfica attainable beginning lineup:

Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Prestianni, R. Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Moreirense attainable beginning lineup:

Ferreira; Fabiano, Batista, Monteiro, Travassos; Assis, Stepanovic; Araujo, Rodri, Kiko; Alan

We say: Benfica 2-0 Moreirense

Benfica’s robust house type and renewed momentum f ought to give them a transparent benefit on this fixture, as they are going to be too robust for Moreirense regardless of the guests’ confidence from their current win.

Facing one of many league’s most constant sides away from house represents a major step up for the visiting aspect, and we anticipate the hosts to safe one other necessary three factors.

For information evaluation of the probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.