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Estoril
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 12
Nov 6, 2022 at 8.30pm UK
Estádio António Coimbra da Mota
Benfica

Estoril
1 - 5
Benfica

Serginho (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Musa (25'), Silva (30', 40'), Mario (67'), Ristic (89')

Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Benfica - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Primeira Liga clash between Estoril Praia and Benfica, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fresh off the back of a 6-1 thrashing of Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, Benfica visit the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to take on Estoril Praia in round 12 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

The Canarinhos, on the other hand, will head into the weekend desperate to get one over the visitors, having failed to win any of the last 19 meetings between the sides since January 2013.


Match preview

Benfica's Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring against Maccabi Haifa on November 2, 2022© Reuters

Estoril Praia failed to return to winning ways as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Portimonense when the sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao last Sunday.

In a game where Daniel Figueira received his marching orders, Erison netted in the 22nd minute to hand the visitors a first-half lead before Welinton Junior restored parity from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Prior to that, Estoril Praia saw their run of five consecutive games without defeat come to an end on October 22 when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Braga courtesy of first-half goals from Mutassim Al Musrati and Vitinha.

Estoril Praia have now picked up four wins, four draws and lost three of their 11 league matches this season to collect 16 points and sit 10th in the standings, but could potentially rise level on points with sixth-placed Sporting Lisbon with all three points this weekend.

However, Nelson Verissimo's side return home where they have struggled to grind out results this season and are currently on a four-game winless run, picking up two points from a possible 12 since August's 2-0 opening-day victory over Famalicao.

While they will be looking to end this dry spell, Sunday's game puts them against a rampant Benfica side, who are unbeaten in the last 19 meetings between the teams since January 2013, claiming 16 wins and three draws in that time.

Estoril Praia's Arthur celebrates scoring their first goal with Andre Franco, Coly Racine and teammates on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Elsewhere, Benfica turned in a performance of the highest quality as they secured a remarkable 6-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday to secure top spot in Group H of the Champions League.

With the scores level at half time, the Portuguese side ran riot in the second half as Petar Musa, Alejandro Grimaldo, Rafa Silva, Henrique Araujo and Joao Mario found the target to cap off a superb team performance.

Tuesday's victory helped Benfica beat Paris Saint-Germain to top spot in Group H thanks to more away goals scored after both sides finished level on 14 points, with the same goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded.

Roger Schmidt's side have now picked up five consecutive victories across all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last 28 games across all competitions, stretching back to May's 1-0 defeat against Porto.

As Aguias now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are challenging for their first title since the 2018-19 campaign, having picked up 10 wins and one draw from their 11 matches to sit top of the league standings with a six-point cushion over second-placed Braga.

Benfica's solid start to the season has been down to their defensive sturdiness as they boast the league's best record with eight clean sheets and five goals conceded so far, while scoring 29 goals at the opposite end of the pitch.

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:


Estoril Praia form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D

Benfica Primeira Liga form:


Benfica form (all competitions):


Team News

Joao Mario celebrates scoring for Benfica against Juventus on October 25, 2022© Reuters

Estoril Praia will be without first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Figueira, who will serve his one-match suspension after picking up a red card against Portimonense last Sunday.

In his absence, former Sporting Lisbon man Pedro Silva will start between the sticks for the first time this season, standing behind the centre-back pair of Lucas Africo and Pedro Alvaro.

Having missed two straight games, Tiago Gouveia was named on the bench against Portimonense and the 21-year-old, who has five goal involvements this season, could return to the XI this weekend.

As far as Benfica are concerned, summer signing Julian Draxler is out of contention for Sunday's game after picking up a muscle problem versus Porto on October 21.

Another name on As Aguias' injury table is Felipe Morato, who continues his spell on the sidelines after sustaining a severe ankle injury in August.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Silva; Santos, Alvaro, Africo, Joaozinho; Rosier, Ndiaye; Siliki, Gouveia, Martins; Erison

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Aursnes, Fernandez; Neres, Silva, Mario; Ramos


SM words green background

We say: Estoril Praia 0-3 Benfica

Benfica head into the weekend as one of the most in-form sides in the division and will be backing themselves against an Estoril Praia side who have struggled for results on home turf. Looking at past results between the sides, we are tipping Schmidt's side to claim a comfortable victory.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Game History

How you voted: Estoril vs Benfica

Estoril Praia
8.9%
Draw
1.8%
Benfica
89.3%
56
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1111003953433
2Porto119022882027
3Benfica108112872125
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara117041412221
5Braga116231911820
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes115331211118
7FamalicaoFamalicao11452129317
8MoreirenseMoreirense115241514117
9Casa Pia113441014-413
10Rio AveRio Ave113351020-1012
11Gil Vicente112451419-510
12Estoril PraiaEstoril11245816-810
13AVS11245919-1010
14BoavistaBoavista11236715-89
15Estrela Amadora112361020-109
16Nacional10226615-98
17AroucaArouca11227619-138
18SC FarenseFarense11128518-135


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