Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Benfica - prediction, team news, lineups

Vitoria de Guimaraes welcome Benfica to the Dom Afonso Henriques for the second time in the space of a month as they go toe to toe in Group A of the Taca da Liga.

The hosts will be looking to get one over the visitors, who strolled to a routine 3-1 victory when the sides squared off in the Primeira Liga on September 25.

Match preview

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Vitoria de Guimaraes maintained their string of fine performances last time out when they claimed a thrilling 2-1 win over a dogged Maritimo side on home turf.

Following an uneventful first half, the game was sparked into life in the 76th minute when Oscar Estupinan broke the deadlock, but after Claudio Winck restored parity in the 89th minute, Rochinha came up trumps for the hosts as he netted two minutes later to restore the lead.

Os Vimaranenses have now won three league games on the trot for the first time since January, when they brushed aside Nacional, Famalicao and Maritimo and this has seen them rise into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings.

With 13 points from nine games, Vitoria de Guimaraes are currently seventh on the log and this has been down to their defensive sturdiness as they boast the division's meanest defense with eight goals conceded.

Pepa's men now turn their attention to the Taca da Liga where they claimed a 4-1 first-round victory over Leixoes on July 26 before edging out Casa Pia 1-0 in the final qualifying round a little under one week later.

Vitoria de Guimaraes currently sit at the summit of Group A after they got their cup campaign off to a flyer courtesy of a 2-0 win over Covilha on September 21.

While they will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling, next up is the daunting task of going up against an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last 23 attempts, managing four draws and losing 19 in that time.

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Benfica, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last time out courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over a dogged Vizela side at the Estadio do FC Vizela.

It was late drama at the Estadio do FC Vizela as Rafa Silva came up clutch for the visitors when he scored the winner in the eighth minute of injury time to hand the hosts their third defeat of the season.

Despite the win, Jorge Jesus will be concerned about his side's recent worrisome performances as they needed an extra-time strike from Andre Almeida to see off second-tier Trofense in the Taca de Portugal on October 16 four days before suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League in their previous two outings.

Benfica now turn their sights to the Taca da Liga, where they are the most successful side in the competition's history, having clinched the title on seven occasions since its inauguration in 2007.

However, As Aguias were dumped out in the semi-finals last season when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of eventual winners Braga on January 20 and will be looking to go all the way this term and extend their dominance in competition.

Team News

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Czech Republic goalkeeper Matous Trmal is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after picking up a back problem against Wednesday's visitors back in September.

While the 23-year-old edges closer to a return, Portuguese goalkeeper Bruno Varela, who has conceded two this season, is expected to start between the sticks for the second game running.

Joseph Amoah is another name on the club's injury table as the Ghanaian midfielder continues his long journey from a long-term ankle injury.

Benfica will once again take to the pitch without the services of Almeida after the Portuguese centre-back trudged off the pitch with a 39th-minute injury in the Champions League tie versus Bayern Munich last Wednesday.

Haris Seferovic, who sustained a muscle injury while in action for Switzerland against Northern Ireland back in September, is also out of contention, meaning we could see Silva in attack once again.

Jesus will also be unable to call upon several players down the spine of the team as the likes of defender Valentino Lazaro, midfielder Gedson Fernandes and forward Rodrigo Pinho are all recuperating from injuries.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Victor; China, Leo, Junior, Winck; Rossi, Pelagio, Rossi; Xadas, Alipour; Beltrame

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen; Gilberto, Weigl, Mario, Grimaldo; Silva, Yaremchuk, Nunez

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-2 Benfica

Benfica have been utterly dominant in the history of this fixture and head into the game unbeaten in the last 20 meetings between the sides. Vitoria head into the game in rejuvenated form and will be looking to put up a valiant fight; however, we are backing the record champions to keep this stellar run against the hosts going.