While the hosts are still challenging for the title, the visitors are currently just outside of the relegation zone, placing pressure on both clubs to pick up points for different reasons.

Match preview

Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi walks off the pitch after being shown a red card on March 3, 2024 © Reuters

With Benfica just one point behind Sporting Lisbon in the league table, there is an opportunity for them to move into the top spot with a victory at the weekend.

While the Eagles will be relying on their title challengers slipping up, they need to keep the pressure on as the season heads into its final section, especially with Sporting Lisbon having a game in hand.

Benfica head into Sunday on the back of a 2-2 draw against Rangers in midweek when they relied upon an own goal from Connor Goldson to stop them from losing in the Europa League.

The draw extended Benfica's run without a victory to three games, after defeats against Sporting Lisbon and Porto recently, which is a spell that Roger Schmidt will want to see come to an end.

The Eagles will also be keen to avenge the defeat they suffered against Estoril the last time they met, when the Canaries won a penalty shootout in the Taca da Liga semi-finals.

Estoril's Rafik Guitane celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 24, 2024 © Reuters

That is something that the visitors will be looking to take confidence from considering they have only won six games throughout their league campaign to this point.

Estoril are currently only outside of the relegation zone due to goal difference, and that is placing plenty of pressure on them to start picking up points.

The Canaries have struggled on the road this season, winning just a single game, and they also head into this fixture on the back of four matches without a victory.

However, Vasco Seabra will remain confident he can guide the team to safety due to how close things are in the league table right now, as a win could see them climb up to 12th depending on other results.

Estoril could easily find themselves in a much stronger position by the end of the weekend, but an improved performance to the one displayed in a 3-1 defeat by Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out will be required.

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

Team News

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt looks dejected on February 15, 2024 © Reuters

The experience of Angel di Maria will likely be relied upon this weekend as the Argentine forward has consistently provided quality for Benfica this season with eight goals and six assists to his name already.

However, the hosts will be without Juan Bernat again as his muscle injury that has kept him out since October is continuing to plague him, while there is also a question mark over Alexander Bah who was unable to complete 90 minutes in midweek.

The visitors also have a plethora of injuries to consider at the moment, with Jordan Holsgrove currently out of action because of a muscle injury he suffered at the end of January.

Erick Cabaco is also on the treatment table and will be for the rest of the reason due to an Achilles tendon injury, while former Benfica defender Pedro Alvaro is another on the sidelines.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Aursnes, A. Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Neves, Luis; Di Maria, R. Silva; Mario; Cabral

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Basso, Volnei, Mangala; Tavares, Fernandes, Zanocelo, Araujo; Guitane, A. Marques, J. Marques

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We say: Benfica 2-0 Estoril Praia

Both of their previous meetings this season have been closely contested, but considering Benfica are in the hunt to win the league at the business end of the season, they will be looking to be a little more ruthless.

The gulf in class between the two teams should ultimately lead to the Eagles taking all three points here, particularly considering Estoril's poor away form.

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