Benfica vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Braga-c40460: Portuguese Primeira Liga Week 10 preview
Benfica face arch-rivals SC Braga at Estadio AXA on the 6th of November. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus’ high flying side are 2nd in the table and will be looking to maintain their status against the Archbishops.
Benfica:
The Eagles were able to salvage a point from their UEFA Champions League game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Basel-c39079 and are looking like the team to beat in the league. Their form has been such that they remain unbeaten in Liga Sagres and are 2nd with 23 points.
Having won all their games after the 1-1 draw with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186, momentum is on their side and they will be looking to flex their muscles against one of their major rivals.
SC Braga:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leonardo-c22056 Jardim’s men have been good form recently and should be an excellent match for the visiting Benfica side. They demolished Maribor during their mid-week UEFA Europa League clash and will be coming into the game full of confidence.
In the Primeira Liga, they drew their last match against Academica but were able to overcome Feirense 3-0 before that.
Team News:
Benfica:
Jorge Jesus’ side are fully fit for the vital clash and will be able to relish the return of Javi Garcia. The midfielder suffered an injury in training and had to miss the last league game against Pacos de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ferreira-c13712 but he should return for this one.
Other than that the tactician will field his strongest line-up and look to grab all three points away from home. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxi-Pereira-c25004 should take
his place on the right, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emerson-c12442 will be on the left.
In midfield, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029 and Javi Garcia should play in the centre, while Nicolas Gaitan and Nolito should be on the wings. Oscar Cardozo will be the sole striker for Benfica and arguably their most potent attacking weapon.
SC Braga:
The Arsenalists do not have any fresh injury concerns going into the game and are also likely to go for a strong line-up to match their rivals.
While the derby atmosphere is likely to be lively at Estadio AXA, the game will also hold special meaning for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nuno-Gomes-c28237. The Seleccao International left Benfica after a lengthy career and it will be the first time he faces his former employers after leaving
Estadio da Luz this summer.
Although the Lisbon giants pose a significant threat despite being the away side, Braga’s Paulo Cesar expressed his desire to secure victory against them.
Speaking to reporters, the striker said that the Reds will be a difficult opponent to counter but he was convinced that his side could match them.
"It will be difficult, as are all challenges against Benfica, but I'm convinced we can have a great game and win,” he said.
The Brazilian also said that his team will have to retain their focus in the game as Benfica will be sharp despite their mid-week draw.
"We will try to focus because a game of this size and importance decides the season. Benfica is strong and I think the draw with Basel will have no influence on their performance. But Braga is also strong and confident,” http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paulo-c29431 Cesar was quoted as saying.
Key Players:
Benfica: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo
The mercurial Paraguayan has been in devastating form recently and will look to resume his goal scoring feats against SC Braga.
SC Braga: Nuno Gomes
After plying his trade with Benfica for more than nine years, the striker will face his former team for the first time and all eyes will be on him.
Prediction:
Benfica 2:1 SC Braga
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