Liga Portugal 2022-23: SL Benfica vs FC Porto: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

On Friday night, a top of the table clash awaits in the Primeira Liga

Benfica are flying high and The Eagles are showing no signs of slowing down as they have a 10 point cushion over their rivals from Friday. Unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions and in a goal scoring spree of their own, they have lost only a single match in the league all throughout the season and are cruising towards their first league title since 2018-19. A huge Champions League clash against Inter Milan awaits them in the Quarter Finals, but Roger Schmidt’s men will be looking to seal the tie in this weekend’s fixture.

Porto can breathe a sigh of relief and go into the daunting Estadio Da Luz taking pride from the fact that Benfica have won just one of the last 10 meetings between these two Portuguese giants across all competitions. Sergio Conceicao’s men will have to boast their away league form as they are unbeaten in their last 11 away outings in order to close the gap on The Eagles. Porto on the other hand have only suffered three league defeats this season and are certainly worthy contenders for the title.

Kick-off: 

Friday, 07-04-2023, 05:00 pm (GMT); 10:30 pm (IST)

SL Benfica form (all competition): W-W-W-W-W

FC Porto form (all competition): W-D-D-W-W

Player to watch

SL Benfica: Goncalo Ramos

Ramos likes to play short passes and that does suit the style of play that Schmidt uses. Playing as a target man due to his height, he has also played as a more complete central forward, using his holdup and linkup play to get more involved in buildup. He has netted 17 goals in 22 league outings this term.

FC Porto: Mehdi Taremi

Modest and self-effacing off the pitch, Taremi exudes class and intelligence on it, but allied to his elegant style is a lethal streak. Tall and athletic, he uses his body well, but it is his two-footedness, technique and composure in front of goal that makes him such a danger. He has been in phenomenal form this season netting 22 goals across all competitions.

Match facts

• The Dragons aka FC Porto with 61 points on board have lost only two of their previous 29 games across all competitions, with 13 victories in their last 17 matches.
• Benfica on the other hand have won 18 and drawn 2 of their 20 home games in all competitions this term.

Injury and team news

It is an assurance that Goncalo Ramos will be leading the attack for The Eagles with Goncalo Guedes remaining sidelined due to a knee injury. Julian Draxler has been through an ankle surgery which might see him out for the rest of the season with Mihailo Ristic still undergoing rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. Joao Mario will be bossing the midfield for Roger Schmidt as he has 12 assists in all competition s this season.

The ever reliable Pepe will miss the trip to Estadio Da Luz whereas Porto’s Joao Mario also remains on the sideline for this fixture with a knee injury. Digo Costa, Evanilson and Zaidu Sanusi are all possible victims to remain on the sideline which might turn out to be a vital factor in this match.

Head-to-Head stats 

Matches: 62

SL Benfica: 15

Draws: 16

FC Porto: 31

Predicted lineup

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

Vlachodimos: Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo: Chiquinho, Aursnes: Mario, Silva, Neres: Ramos

FC Porto predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Ramos: Manafa, Cardoso, Marcano, Wendell: Pepe, Otavio, Uribe, Galeno: Martinez, Taremi

Prediction

FC Porto have had a fair share of their blistering form in the recent weeks but it looks like the league leaders Benfica will succumb the chances of The Dragons in creating a possible outlet for them to have a crack at the league which is almost in the eyesight for Roger Schmidt’s men.

Prediction:  SL Benfica 1-0 FC Porto

Telecast Details

India- No telecast.

USA- DAZN AT.

UK- BT Sport and Viaplay Sports.

Nigeria- No forecast