Table-toppers Benfica make the trip to the Estadio da Mata Real to face basement club Pacos de Ferreira in the Primeira Liga on Thursday night.
While the visitors have lost only one of their 18 games on the road so far this season, the hosts are seeking to avoid an 11th successive game without a win on home soil.
Match preview
© Reuters
Pacos de Ferreira finally picked up their first league victory of the 2022-23 campaign when they won 1-0 away at Rio Ave just under two weeks ago, but they were unable to come out on top for a second successive game as they were beaten 2-1 at home against Braga last weekend.
Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove restored parity for the Beavers with a stunning strike after Vitinha had opened the scoring just before the hour mark, but the visitors snatched all three points in the 90th minute courtesy of a composed finish from Simon Banza.
Cesar Peixoto has picked up four points from his first three games as Pacos de Ferreira boss after taking the reins on January 2, but his new side remain rooted to the foot of the table and are 12 points adrift from safety at the halfway stage.
Pacos de Ferreira, who finished fifth in the Primeira Liga just two seasons ago, will be seeking revenge when they play host to Benfica after losing 3-2 against the Eagles in the reverse fixture back in August.
© Reuters
After ending 2022 with a disappointing 3-0 defeat away against Braga, Benfica have since won three and drawn one of their first four games this year, including last weekend's 3-0 victory against Santa Clara.
Fredrik Aursnes and Goncalo Ramos both found the net within the first 16 minutes before January loan signing Goncalo Guedes came off the bench to score on his second debut for the club 10 minutes from time – netting his first goal for the Eagles since 2017 to wrap up all three points.
Roger Schmidt's men, who are bidding to win their first Primeira Liga title in four years, still hold a four-point lead over their nearest challengers Braga in second place, while current holders Porto and Sporting Lisbon sit further back in third and fourth spot respectively.
Benfica's clash with Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday is the second of five away matches across a period of six fixtures in all competitions, but the Eagles will be confident of success on their travels, as they have won each of their last 11 meetings with the Beavers, scoring 32 goals in the process and at least twice on each occasion.
Team News
© Reuters
Pacos de Ferreira centre-back Maracas is suspended after receiving a straight red card in the dying embers of Saturday's defeat to Braga, so Pedro Ganchas is the most likely candidate to start alongside Nuno Lima.
Left-back Antunes and attacking midfielder Matchoi Djalo are both available to return from suspension and will be in contention to start on Thursday.
With Abbas Ibrahim set to miss out again through injury, Holsgrove may retain his place in centre-midfield alongside Rui Pires and Carlos, while former Benfica ban Nicolas Gaitan could start again on the right flank.
As for Benfica, key playmaker Rafa missed the win over Santa Clara due to a muscle problem and he is not expected to recover in time for Thursday's contest.
Aursnes, Julian Draxler and Joao Mario all roamed in the final third behind central striker Ramos last time out, and the same attacking quartet are set to remain in Schmidt's starting lineup, while in-demand midfielder Enzo Fernandez is expected to keep his place along with Florentino Luis.
Experienced defender and World Cup winner Nicolas Otamendi is available to return after serving a one-match ban, and the Argentine will likely replace Morato in the first XI.
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Marafona; Delgado, Lima, Ganchas, Antunes; Pires, Holsgrove, Carlos; Gaitan, A. Guedes, Uilton
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Luis, Fernandez, Aursnes; Mario, Draxler, Ramos
We say: Pacos de Ferreira 0-3 Benfica
Benfica will be regarded as strong favourites to secure maximum points at the Estadio da Mata Real and will likely have more joy in the final third against their struggling counterparts.
Pacos de Ferreira caused a few problems for the Eagles in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but they may struggle to breach their backline on this occasion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
