FC Porto Vs Benfica Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Liga Portugal

FC Porto Vs Benfica Preview

Tournament: Liga Portugal

Date: Monday, April 6

Kick-off time: 19:30 GMT

Venue: Estadio Do Dragao

FC Porto take on Benfica in the much-awaited clash of Liga Portugal at the Estádio do Dragão, looking to dash their title dream a setback with a win here.

FC Porto have endured a tough season thus far, with the team very well out of the title race as they trail with nine points from the likes of Benfica and Sporting. For now, they find themselves in the third position in the table, having gathered 56 points from 27 matches.

Martin Anselmi's side has done well in recent matches, gathering three wins, one draw, and losing once in the last five matches. Samuel Aghehowa leads the goalscoring chart for them with 15 goals, and Francisco Moura provides the most assists with 7.

Benfica, on the other hand, are having a wonderful season as they go toe-to-toe with Sporting CP for the title. Both teams are languishing in the top two with the same points, but Sporting has the better goal difference.

Bruno Lage's side have won their last eight league matches in a row and will be pretty confident to win here after hammering them in the reverse fixture with a 4-0 scoreline. Vangelis Pavlidis is currently leading the goalscoring chart for them with 11 goals, and Kerem Akturkoglu is providing the most assists with 7.

FC Porto Team News

The home team have three injury concerns in their squad. Claudio Ramos is suffering from an ankle injury, and Marko Grujic from a hamstring injury, which will see them both sidelined for this match. Also, Vasco Sousa remains sidelined after suffering a broken leg, which has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Benfica Team News

Similar to their opponents, Benfica will also be without three players for this match. Alexander Bah, who established himself as the number one right-back, is out with a cruciate ligament injury, with his return scheduled to be around late October. He will be joined on the sidelines by Manu Silva and Tiago Gouveia, who are also out with cruciate ligament and shoulder injuries.

FC Porto Vs Benfica Predicted Lineups

FC Porto predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Costa

Defenders: Perez, Eustaquio, Marcano

Midfielders: Mario, Vieira, Varela, Moura

Attackers: Mora, Aghehowa, Pepe

Benfica predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Trubin

Defenders: Dahl, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras

Midfielders: Aursnes, Sanches

Attackers: Di Maria, Kokcu, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis

FC Porto Vs Benfica H2H Record

Matches between these two teams have always been fiery and entertaining. In the last five meetings, both teams have given a tough fight to each other with Porto registering two wins and Benfica winning the other three matches.

Key players to watch in FC Porto Vs Benfica

Fabio Vieira (FC Porto)

Fabio Vieira is having a fine season with his home team after securing a summer loan move from Arsenal. This season, he has made 19 appearances for them, scoring four goals while laying on another three assists.

Known for his playmaking ability, Vieira is the center of attraction after netting three goals in his last four matches with the club despite playing as a midfielder.

Vangelis Pavidis (Benfica)

The Greece international is in the form of his life, scoring goals for fun this season. Pavlidis has scored 21 goals this season in all competitions, with 11 of them coming in the league.

In his last five matches with the club, Pavlidis has found the back of the net four times to lead their title challenge this season. His poacher instinct, coupled with pace and precision, makes him an outstanding player for them this season.

FC Porto Vs Benfica Prediction

We have a blockbuster clash on our horizon as we witness two powerhouses of Liga Portugal face each other. Both teams have been in excellent form this season, with very little to separate them.

Considering the home advantage they have on their side, Porto will be slight favourites for the victory here. They will also be eyeing revenge here after getting hammered by them in the reverse leg.

Predicted Score: FC Porto 2-2 Benfica

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