Arguably the most awaited clash of the Primeira Liga season kicks-off at Estadio da Luz today, with both teams battling it out for bragging rights and potentially the title.
Benfica:
The hosts for this one will make sure that the atmosphere in Lisbon is a fiery one, but the fans will have some concerns going into the game. Benfica have slumped in the last couple of games, with a blank draw against Academica and surprise loss to Vitoria
Guimaraes.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus’ side gave up a five-point lead at the top and will be keen to make amends tonight, which will surely place them in ascendency for the title.
FC Porto:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281 Pereira’s men were out of contention for silverware on the domestic front a couple of weeks ago, but following the fall of their fierce rivals and some positive results of their own, they lie first in the standings.
Having crashed out of the UEFA Champions League and subsequently the UEFA Europa League, the pressure to live up to their usual standards is quite on high on the Portistas. But everything will be forgiven if they can manage to secure victory at the Luz today.
Benfica:
There is some good and bad news for the Reds on the injury front.
Spanish pass-master Javi Garcia has recovered in time for the Classico but his fellow compatriot http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Garay-c13071 could also be watching from the stands after
suffering a knee injury during Argentina’s mid-week clash with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016.
At the back, changes will be made if the Sky Blue centre-back misses out, but the rest remain the same. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxi-Pereira-c25004 and captain Luisao
will also start in front of him. Garay will be evaluated before the game and if he is deemed unfit, then Miguel Vitor should slot in for him.
Up-front, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029 in the Benfica engine room.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186:
Porto face an arduous task against the Eagles despite their recent blip in form and their chances will look bleaker with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danilo-c10159 set to sit things out.
Both the defenders suffered injuries against Manchester City and this game comes a bit too early for them. Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Silvestre-Varela-c33505 is also a doubt after picking a knock against Feirense, while James Rodriguez is also a slight doubt following his exertions
for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Colombia-c2873.
However the majority of the Dragons’ line-up remains the same, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Álvaro-Pereira-c5297 will do the same on the left.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Djalma-c11359 is expected to start if James Rodriguez does not recover in time.
Key Players:
FC Porto: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436
The Brazilian has been unable to recoup the form he showed last term but on the biggest of occasions, the stage is set for him to gain his lost glory.
Benfica: Nicolas Gaitan
The same can be said for Nicolas Gaitan, who has mellowed down quite a bit following a scintillating start to the campaign. He will surely need to up his game, if he is to seek greener pastures in Manchester when the season concludes.
Prediction:
Benfica 2:1 FC Porto
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