With the title race going down to the wire, Benfica make the trip to Braga, aiming for maximum points in the final matchday of the season and hoping that will be enough to snatch the Primeira Liga crown from their city rivals.
With their destiny now out of their own hands, the Eagles missed the chance to seize top spot last weekend when they failed to beat Sporting Lisbon in what had all the makings of a potential title decider.
Match preview
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Entrenched in a two-horse battle for the league, Benfica sit level on 79 points with Sporting following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Estadio da Luz, though it is their rivals who hold the edge courtesy of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Eagles were caught cold early on as Francisco Trincao arrowed a low shot from distance to put the visitors ahead, but Kerem Akturkoglu levelled proceedings just past the hour mark, and despite a late flurry from Bruno Lage's side, they were forced to settle for a single point.
That outcome now leaves Benfica's fate hanging on the result of Sporting's clash with Vitoria de Guimaraes, which will take place simultaneously, as even a win at Estadio Municipal may count for little if the Lions do not falter in their own encounter.
Still, the Eagles will aim to do their part, and with 12 victories from their last 14 league outings – the only blemishes being two home draws – they arrive in Braga with momentum firmly on their side.
Indeed, Benfica have strung together seven successive top-flight away wins and will be desperate to extend that run in the hope that it paves the way to domestic glory on all fronts.
Having already edged Sporting in the Taca de Liga final back in January, Lage's men will renew hostilities in the Taca de Portugal showpiece on May 25 as they eye a memorable treble.
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Braga, on the other hand, have faltered at a pivotal stage in the campaign, seeing their charge for third place stall after failing to win any of their last three games.
Carlos Carvalhal's men were in control after taking maximum points in five of their previous six matches, but successive 1-1 stalemates against Famalicao and Santa Clara followed by a 2-1 loss at Casa Pia have seen them fall three points behind Porto in the race for a direct Europa League ticket.
With 65 points from 19 wins, eight draws and six defeats, the Minho outfit are now staring at the possibility of settling for a place in the competition's qualifiers, barring a dramatic final-day swing.
Even if Porto loses against Nacional and Braga secure victory here, they must make up a goal difference deficit of seven, though the Archbishops will still relish the opportunity to complete their first-ever league double over Benfica, having earned a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture back in January.
The hosts have taken maximum points in six of their last seven top-flight home matches, so they certainly have reason to believe they can finish the campaign on a high.
Team News
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Vitor Carvalho or Jean-Baptiste Gorby could be handed a start in central midfield if Carvalhal opts to freshen things up, which may see Uros Racic drop to the bench.
Sikou Niakate was preferred to Robson Bambu in the previous game and could retain his spot in the heart of defence this weekend.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old centre-back Jonatas Noro remains sidelined with an Achilles tendon rupture and will play no part here.
As for Benfica, long-term absentees Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Renato Sanches remain sidelined, and Fredrik Aursnes has now joined them in the treatment room, while Zeki Amdouni faces a late fitness test to determine whether he will be available.
Although Vangelis Pavlidis did not find the net last time out, the Greek forward turned in a delightful performance, unlocking Sporting's defence with a brilliant solo run to provide an assist, and he will enter this clash brimming with belief.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Chissumba, Oliveira, Niakate, Gomez; Horta, Moutinho, Carvalho, Fernandes; Zalazar; Ouazzani
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Araujo; Florentino, Barreiro; Akturkoglu, Kokcu, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
We say: Braga 1-3 Benfica
Benfica head into this encounter as the sharper side, buoyed by an attack that has struck at least twice in nine of their last 10 league games, and with Braga struggling for end-product lately – having scored just once in each of their last three matches – the Eagles could well prove too hot to handle at Estadio Municipal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
