Benfica will welcome AVS to the Estadio da Luz on Sunday as they look to tighten the screws in a gripping Primeira Liga title race.
Fresh off the back of securing a spot in the Taca de Portugal final with a 4-0 second-leg win over Tirsense that wrapped up a resounding 9-0 aggregate triumph, the Reds will have their sights set firmly on picking up another emphatic victory this weekend.
Match preview
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Benfica are unbeaten in 14 domestic matches and are in scorching form, having hit at least three goals in 11 of those outings across league and cup competitions.
Their title ambitions remain firmly alive, with Bruno Lage's men sat second on the table with 72 points, level with leaders Sporting Lisbon but trailing only on goal difference.
The Eagles will see this weekend as a golden opportunity to chip away at that margin, especially given their commanding 3-0 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes in their last top-flight fixture.
Benfica have also established themselves as the strongest home side in the division this term, winning 13 of their 15 matches at Da Luz, where they have scored a league-high 45 goals and conceded just 11 — the joint second-fewest.
Sunday's contest also offers a chance to settle scores after being held to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, though their only other meeting with AVS saw them cruise to a 4-1 win in a Taca da Liga tie on their own turf.
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AVS, who find themselves clinging to top-flight survival hopes, will be desperate to pull off a surprise result and become the first side to take points off Benfica in both league meetings this term.
The debutants sit in the relegation playoff spot with 24 points from four wins, 12 draws and 14 defeats, trailing safety by two points with just four games left to salvage their status.
Rui Ferreira's side snapped a five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Casa Pia last time out but are now winless in six.
Their most recent victory came in a 1-0 success away at SC Farense, which remains their only league triumph on the road, underscoring their struggles away from home.
AVS are the worst travellers in the division, having picked up just nine points from 15 visits to opposition grounds, while conceding a league-high 28 goals in those games.
Team News
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Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Renato Sanches are all ruled out for the hosts as they continue their respective recoveries from injury setbacks.
Florentino Luis is suspended for the encounter after picking up a booking, potentially paving the way for Alvaro Barreiro to step into the midfield alongside Fredrik Aursnes.
Angel Di Maria also misses out through suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season, with Andreas Schjelderup likely to be handed a starting berth in his absence.
Tomas Araujo may be afforded a rest, opening the door for Leandro Santos to slot in at right-back should Lage opt for rotation.
Rafael Rodrigues is unavailable for the visitors due to suspension, which opens the door for Eric Veiga to slot in at left wing-back.
Jaume Grau is also ruled out after accumulating bookings, leaving Tiago Galletto in contention to partner either Gustavo Assuncao or Giorgi Aburjania in midfield.
Tunde Akinsola, who found the net against Casa Pia, will be pushing for another starting berth out wide following his impactful display.
Gerson Rodrigues is unavailable due to injury, while Lucas Piazon faces a late fitness test that will determine his availability for the trip to Lisbon.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Santos; Aursnes, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Barreiro, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Devenish, Roux, Santos; Veiga, Mendonca, Galletto, Fonseca; Akinsola, Luis, Mercedo
We say: Benfica 4-0 AVS
Benfica are overwhelming favourites to claim all three points on Sunday, and anything less than a dominant display will come as a surprise, especially with the title race potentially hinging on goal difference.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
