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

Benfica will be looking to break back into the top three of the Primeira Liga table on Saturday, when they welcome Boavista to the Estadio da Luz.

As Aguias come into this game having won their last two league matches, while Boavista recorded a crucial victory of their own last time out, beating Famalicao to move out of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Last time out, Benfica travelled to Belenenses with the hope of recording a third consecutive victory in all competitions.

They succeeded with that aim, as they were fired to a 3-0 victory by a Haris Seferovic brace and Lucas Verissimo's first goal for the club.

Before that, Jorge Jesus's side recorded consecutive 2-0 wins, firstly beating Rio Ave in league action thanks to a Seferovic goal and a Pizzi strike.

They then defeated Estoril Praia in the second leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final tie to advance to the final with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, thanks to second-leg goals from Goncalo Ramos and Luca Waldschmidt.

The side from Lisbon seem to have turned a corner since the inconsistent run which saw them exit the Europa League and drop to fourth in the top flight, as they look to break back into the top three where they previously sat.

As Aguias' strength has definitely been in defence this campaign, with only league leaders Sporting Lisbon conceding fewer than the 17 that Jesus's men have shipped from 22 games.

That has been reflected in the last few games, with the 39-time Primeira Liga champions keeping three consecutive clean sheets, helping them to see out those recent victories.

Jesus will be looking to build on that strong defensive form in this game, as they go in search of a fourth consecutive clean sheet and fourth straight win on Saturday.

However, in their way stand a Boavista side who will have renewed confidence after an eye-catching victory last time out.

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Jesualdo Ferreira's side hosted fellow strugglers Famalicao last Saturday, with As Panteras sitting at the foot of the table.

However, they secured a crucial win as goals from Ricardo Mangas, Paulinho and Sebastian Perez fired them to an impressive 3-0 victory, moving them off the bottom of the table and out of the drop zone.

Ferreira's men have now picked up an impressive tally of seven points from their last four league outings, also beating Moreirense 1-0 and securing a commendable 2-2 draw with third-placed Porto.

As a result, As Panteras have pulled themselves right back into contention to survive this season, currently sitting in 14th spot.

However, they do remain just two points above Famalicao in the automatic relegation zone, meaning Boavista could be quickly pulled back into the bottom three if they fail to continue their improved run.

Extending the run will not be easy though, as they host a Benfica side who have started to get back into form, and will be in search of another convincing victory on Saturday.

Team News

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Benfica are expected to remain without Jan Vertonghen, as he is unlikely to be risked while carrying a thigh injury, especially as Lucas Verissimo has shown that he is more than competent at the heart of the Benfica defence.

Vertonghen is joined on the sidelines by forward Darwin Nunez, who remains out with a hamstring injury.

In his absence, Haris Seferovic and Luca Waldschmidt have led the line for Benfica.

Andre Almeida also remains out for As Aguias, with the full-back carrying a long-term ligament injury.

Helton Leite has been preferred to Odysseas Vlachodimos in the Benfica goal in important games recently, and the Brazilian is expected to start again here.

Boavista will remain without midfielder Miguel Reisinho, who has been absent since November with a ligament rupture.

Their midfield will also take another hit, as Benfica loanee Nuno Santos is not eligible to play against his parent club.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Leite; Goncalves, Verissimo, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Silva, Pizzi, Weigl, Everton; Waldschmidt, Seferovic

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Leonardo; Cannon, Devenish, Awaziem, Mangas; Paulinho, Garcia, Santos, Sauer; Gomes, Elis

We say: Benfica 2-0 Boavista

We see Benfica extending their good run of form with another victory here, thanks to improvements in both their defensive solidity and attacking threat.

While Boavista have vastly improved in recent weeks, we see this being a step too far for As Panteras, and expect them to fall short at the Estadio da Luz.