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

Fresh off the back of sealing their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, Benfica take a trip to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao Stadium to square off against Famalicao.

The hosts, on the other hand, head into the game on a run of two consecutive Primeira Liga defeats and will be seeking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

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Famalicao failed to return to winning ways last Sunday when they suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat against a rampant Gil Vicente side at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.

In a one-sided affair, Kanya Fujimoto, Fran Navarro and Murilo scored to put the Gilistas in a commanding three-goal lead heading into the interval before Navarro put the icing on the cake with his second of the game in the 76th minute.

This followed a 3-0 loss at the hands of Portimonense on November 27, when goals from Aylton Boa Morte, Carlinhos and an own goal from Alexandre Penetra saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end.

With 10 points from 13 games, Famalicao are currently 14th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Vizela and Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot.

Their poor start to the season has been owing to their defensive frailties, as they have shipped 24 goals so far, and their struggles on home turf, where they are yet to pick up a win and boast the league's worst record with just three points from six games.

While Ivo Vieira's men will be seeking to end their poor run, next up is the stern test of taking the 37-time champions, who they have failed to defeat in each of the last six encounters between the teams, losing four and claiming two draws.

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Benfica, on the other hand, secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League last time out courtesy of a 2-0 win over Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kyiv.

In a game where Jorge Jesus' men needed all three points to keep their faith in their hands, Roman Yaremchuk and Gilberto netted first-half goals to hand the Portuguese giants all three points.

Benfica now return home where they saw their four-game unbeaten streak come to an end courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Sporting Lisbon on December 3.

With 31 points from 13 games, As Aguias are currently third on the log, four points behind Sporting and Porto, who are level on points at the top of the table.

Jesus will now hope the win last time out can serve as a catalyst for a fine run of form as they look to unseat the Leoes and make a charge for their second title in three years.

Team News

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Diogo Figueiras was hooked off after just 23 minutes against Gil Vicente last time out and the Portuguese defender is a major doubt for Famalicao.

After missing seven straight games through a muscle problem, Pedro Marques returned to the fold against the Gilistas as an unused substitute and the Portuguese forward could make his return to the pitch this weekend.

Fellow countryman David Tavares will play no part in Sunday's game as the 22-year-old midfielder is suspended due to accumulated yellow card bookings.

Meanwhile, As Aguias will take to the pitch without the services of the Brazilian duo of Lucas Verissimo and Rodrigo Pinho, who are currently recuperating from knee and muscle injuries respectively.

Serbian midfielder Nemanja Radonjic is also out of contention after sustaining an injury in the game against Pacos de Ferreira on November 19.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Penetra, Alex, Marin; Rodrigues, Pickel; Tavares, Paulo, Jaime; Banza

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Almeida, Otamendi, Vertonghen; Gilberto, Weigl, Mario, Grimaldo; Silva, Nunez, Pizzi

We say: Famalicao 0-3 Benfica

Both sides have enjoyed contrasting starts to the season, with Famalicao currently languishing just outside the relegation zone. Looking at the gulf in class and quality in the two sides, and their respective forms heading into the game, we are tipping Benfica to claim all three points.

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