Monday night's Primeira Liga action gets underway at Estadio Jose Gomes where Estrela Amadora will play host to defending champions Benfica.
The hosts are currently in 13th place in the league standings with 18 points in as many games, while the visitors are on 45 points and trailing league leaders Sporting Lisbon by a single point.
Match preview
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Estrela have laid a solid platform over the first half of the season and while many had them down as likely relegation contenders, they are currently six points clear of the drop as things stand.
However, with the bottom half of the table being quite compact, the Tricolours are still uncomfortably close to the relegation scrap, just two points ahead of Rio Ave, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Estrela suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Vitoria Guimaraes last week, which extended their current winless run in the top flight to five matches, while they have only managed one victory in their last nine.
In addition, the hosts have struggled in front of goal this season, currently possessing the joint-lowest tally in the league with 18 goals, while they have let in 27 at the other end.
A loss here could see Sergio Vieira's side drop to 16th place, and unfortunately for them, their recent record does not help inspire much confidence in getting a result against the reigning league champions.
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Meanwhile, Benfica will be looking to bounce back from a major disappointment in midweek when they were knocked out in the semi-final of the Taca da Liga by Estoril on penalties.
Nicolas Otamendi cancelled out an early strike by Estoril's Rafik Guitane, but despite creating several clear-cut chances in the second half of the match, the Eagles could not find a go-ahead goal.
Nevertheless, they now return to league competition, where they have been incredible, currently on a five-match winning streak and unbeaten in their last 17 matches - recording 14 wins and just three draws in that time.
In contrast to their opponents, Roger Schmidt's side have found goals fairly easy to come by in the league this season, as they currently have the league's third-best tally of 37, averaging over two returns per 90.
The Eagles are also unbeaten in their last eight away league games and come into this one having not conceded on the road in their last five outings dating back to September 24 against Portimonense.
Team News
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Dida will be able to return to the team for this match, having served his three-match suspension, but Hevertton Santos will start the first of his three games out after being sent off last week against Vitoria Guimaraes.
Bruno Brigido is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a broken ankle, while Miguel Lopes (knee) and Aloisio (knock) are also ruled out of this match due to injury.
Kialonda Gaspar and Manuel Keliano are still away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Angola, who booked their place in the quarter-final with a win over Namibia on Saturday evening.
Benfica also have a few notable absentees, including Juan Bernat (muscle) and Casper Tengstedt (thigh). The pair are only expected to return to action next month.
Alexander Bah is on the road to recovery from a thigh injury and has recommenced training with the squad, but it may still be a little too soon for Schmidt to throw him back into the starting lineup.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Otieno, Mendes, Mansur; Felipe, Cordeiro, Sa, Reis; Jaba, N'Do; Luiz
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Aursnes, A. Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Luis, Kokcu; Mario, R. Silva, Di Maria; Cabral
We say: Estrela Amadora 0-2 Benfica
Benfica will be eager to put their midweek cup disappointment behind them with a positive result here and will see this as a good opportunity to place some pressure on Sporting, who take on Casa Pia later in the day. Estrela have failed to win any of their last five league games, and we feel they will see their winless record extended in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
