Benfica is set to take on AVS in a crucial Primeira Liga fixture at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday. The Eagles aim to put their recent Champions League defeat behind them and reinforce their strong domestic form against the basement side.
Match Preview: Benfica vs AVS
Benfica suffered a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in their midweek Champions League knockout playoff. This match, held at the Estadio da Luz, featured a controversial moment that stemmed from Vinicius Junior’s goal celebration. The incident sparked tension between the players and fans, drawing attention to Gianluca Prestianni, who is now under investigation for allegedly directing a racial slur at the Brazilian.
Despite this distraction, Benfica remains focused on their primary goal: maintaining their impressive league performance. The team currently stands third in the Primeira Liga, trailing the leaders by seven points and the second place by three.
Recent Performance
Benfica has achieved five wins in their last six league outings, with a notable victory of 2-1 against Santa Clara last weekend. Their unbeaten league run has reached an impressive 37 matches, with 27 wins and 10 draws since their last defeat against Casa Pia in 2022.
- Current league position: 3rd
- League form: W5, D1 in last six matches
- Unbeaten run: 37 matches (W27, D10)
On the other hand, AVS recently recorded their first league win of the season, defeating Estoril Praia 3-0. This victory came courtesy of goals from Diego Duarte, Tomane, and Angel Algobia. The win gave head coach Joao Henriques his first triumph since taking charge in December, breaking a streak of eight matches without victory.
AVS’s Struggles
Despite their recent success, AVS remains at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table, 12 points from safety. Their offensive struggles are evident, as they have managed to score only 18 goals, while conceding a staggering 54, the highest in the league.
- Current league position: Bottom (12 points adrift)
- League form: W1, D0, L10 this season
- Goals scored: 18 (third fewest in the league)
- Goals conceded: 54 (highest in the league)
Team News
For Benfica, Gianluca Prestianni will miss the match due to suspension from his fifth yellow card. Dodi Lukebakio, who is recovering from an ankle injury, may return, but his match fitness remains uncertain. Alexander Bah is back from injury, while goalkeeper Samuel Soares is still sidelined.
AVS could be without midfielder Pedro Lima, who was injured during their last match, and Antoine Baroan, who is out with a broken leg. Right-back Guillem Molina is also unavailable due to an ongoing injury.
Benfica’s potential starting lineup includes:
- Trubin; Banjaqui, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Barreiro; Aursnes, Rafa Silva, Sudakov; Pavlidi
On the other hand, AVS may start with:
- Adriel; Devenish, Paulo Vitor, Rivas; Mendonca, Algobia, Roni, Pedro Lima, Akinsola; Duarte, Tomane
Predictions
Given their current form, Benfica is favored to secure a comfortable victory. The Eagles are expected to dominate AVS, who have shown significant vulnerabilities defensively. A predicted scoreline of 3-0 aligns with past performances against the same opponent.
This match represents a key opportunity for Benfica to strengthen their title chase while AVS hopes to build on their recent success despite their uphill battle.
