Benfica can move level at the top of the Primeira Liga when they host relegation-threatened SC Farense at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday in round 27.
The Reds sit second with 62 points, three behind leaders Sporting Lisbon, who secured victory against Estoril Praia earlier this gameweek.
Match preview
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Benfica cruised to a 3-0 win over Gil Vicente in their rescheduled matchday 24 encounter on Friday evening, but Sporting’s triumph at Estoril the following day means Bruno Lage‘s men must claim all three points on Wednesday to keep pace at the summit.
It was a commanding display in Barcelos from the Eagles, who registered seven shots on target, as Fredrik Aursnes broke the deadlock midway through the first half before Andrea Belotti doubled the advantage six minutes after the restart, while Angel Di Maria added the finishing touch from the spot deep into stoppage time.
That result extended Benfica’s winning streak in the Primeira Liga to seven matches and further showcased their attacking prowess, marking the sixth time in that run they have netted at least three goals.
Lage’s high-flying side now welcome a struggling Farense outfit that has been anything but resolute at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league outings and conceding 14 goals in that period.
The fixture appears even more favourable for Benfica given their dominance in recent meetings, having beaten the visitors in the last three encounters, though their most recent clash at Da Luz ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
With a league-high 34 points secured from 13 home games this season, the Reds have every reason to be confident of extending their winning run.
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Meanwhile, Farense’s survival hopes took another hit with a 1-0 defeat to Braga just before the international break, stretching their winless run in the top flight to 11 matches (five draws, six losses).
As a result, Toze‘s side remain 17th in the standings with just 17 points from three wins, eight draws and 15 defeats, leaving them eight points adrift of safety.
Searching for a spark ahead of Wednesday’s daunting challenge, Farense can draw some encouragement from their relatively better form on the road, with 10 of their 17 points coming on their travels.
In fact, Leoes de Faro have suffered just one defeat in their last eight away matches in the league; however, a troubling pattern emerges against teams in the top four, with their last three away losses coming against such opposition.
Team News
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Tomas Araujo was forced off last time out, making him a doubt for Wednesday, with Samuel Dahl — who replaced him in that game — likely to start at right back.
Aside from that potential tweak, the rest of the starting XI could remain unchanged, with Belotti’s impressive display potentially keeping him ahead of Vangelis Pavlidis in the number nine role.
Tiago Gouveia, Alexander Bah and Manu Silva remain sidelined as they continue their recoveries from injury.
Rui Costa‘s availability remains uncertain after he was forced off against Braga two weeks ago, and if unfit, Elves Balde, who replaced him in that match, could take his place.
Meanwhile, Toze may switch to a three-man frontline after his 4-4-2 experiment failed to deliver last time out, and we could see Tomane flanked by two of Balde, Rony Lopes or Marco Matias.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Carreras, Otamendi, Silva, Dahl; Kocku, Luis, Aursnes; Bruma, Belotti, Akturkoglu
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Moreno, Jorge, Ribiero; Poloni, Z.C, Falcao, Pastor; Lopes, Tomane, Balde
We say: Benfica 3-0 SC Farense
Benfica are overwhelming favourites for this clash, given their blistering form and dominance in this fixture, while Farense’s struggles on the road against the league’s top sides only reinforce the expectation of a commanding victory for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
