Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Primeira Liga clash between Benfica and Estrela Amadora, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Benfica welcome Estrela Amadora to Estadio da Luz on Saturday in their upcoming Primeira Liga meeting.
The possible title contenders returned to winning ways after their league-opening false start and aim for gameweek three success against opponents they have typically dominated.
Match preview
© Imago
A victory in gameweek two was just what the doctor ordered for Benfica after losing 2-0 at Famalicao in the opening round, with Roger Schmidt‘s men notching a 3-0 success over local rivals Casa Pia.
Despite the comfortable final score, the encounter seemed to be heading for another draw in back-to-back seasons until three goals in the final 20 minutes from Vangelis Pavlidis, Tiago Gouveia and Fredrik Aursnes settled the game.
As Aguias, already three points adrift of defending champions Sporting and potential contenders Porto, return to domestic action keen to stay within touching distance of their rivals, even if the season is still in its infancy.
The Eagles have reason to be optimistic before hosting Estrela due to an ongoing 12-match winning sequence in front of their supporters and a 21-match streak without losing since Porto beat them in April 2023.
One of Benfica’s victories during the undefeated run on their turf included a 2-0 victory over Estrela about a year ago, and they seek a 13th home success on the bounce against their district rivals.
© Imago
Saturday’s visiting club face an uphill battle against a side that has given little away in over a year on home turf and one they have lost to in six straight meetings.
The last time Estrela avoided losing to Benfica was on their turf in May 2008, but the past six matches in all competitions have gone the Eagles’ way.
Further accentuating Estrela’s task is their ongoing wretched away form from last season, when they won just once in 17 road matches and extended to 18 if gameweek one’s draw in Braga is included.
They followed a creditable 1-1 draw with Braga by losing 3-0 to unblemished, in-form Famalicao in front of their supporters, which does not bode well for this weekend’s visit to Benfica.
It remains to be seen if Filipe Martins‘ men avoid a seventh consecutive loss at the Stadium of Light but their disappointing start means observers are giving Tricolores little chance on Saturday.
Benfica Primeira Liga form:
Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:
Team News
© Reuters
Anatolii Trubin has a thigh injury that should keep him out of action for a few more weeks while Angel Di Maria, absent last weekend, reportedly has a muscle issue.
The home side’s summer arrival from Heidenheim, Jan-Niklas Beste, was forced off after 20 minutes against Casa Pia and is not anticipated to play any part this weekend.
Having fired blanks in gameweek one, it will have pleased Schmidt that last week’s goals came from different players, highlighting the team’s multiple match-winners despite Rafa Silva‘s departure and Di Maria’s absence.
Nani could start for the first time for Estrela and the former Sporting winger should expect a hostile reception from the home crowd.
After making his Estrela debut in the disastrous loss to Famalicao, Ferro will hope for a better outcome on his return to his erstwhile club this weekend.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Soares; Bah, Araujo, Silva, Carreras; Barreiro, Luis; Mario, Prestianni, Aursnes; Pavlidis
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Veiha, Lopes, Ferro, Varela; Luiz, Keliano, Bucca, Nani; Pinho, Kikas
We say: Benfica 2-0 Estrela Amadora
It is hard not to expect anything other than a routine victory for Benfica on Saturday. Not only are the hosts on an impressive winning sequence on their turf but Estrela’s away blues have seemingly been carried over into the 2024-25 season, pointing to a seventh straight loss against the Eagles at the Stadium of Light.
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