Saviola and Lima to shine in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542 vs. SC Braga – UEFA Europa League preview
SL Benfica will take on fellow Portuguese Liga outfit SC Braga in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday, April 28.
SL Benfica
The Eagles progressed through to the Europa League semi-finals by defeating http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven on an aggregate score line of 6-3 earlier this month. After their superb performance against the Eredivisie powerhouse, the Portuguese Liga outfit would be confident
to advance through to the final.
The Eagles have no chance of winning the Portuguese Liga title this term as they are trailing the league leaders http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 by a mammoth 19 points. Europa League thus harbours their only hopes of silverware for the season.
Benfica have played brilliantly throughout their European campaign and have emerged as one of the favourites to life the trophy. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus’ men are coming into this match on a six matches unbeaten run in Europe and will be looking to keep their good
record intact. The tactician believes that his side has a good chance of winning the Europa League this season, though, he admitted that it will not be an easy to task to achieve this objective.
SC Braga
The Archbishops drew both the games in their two-legged quarter-final against FC Dynamo Kiev. However, the away goals rule benefited the Portuguese outfit and they advanced through to the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 1-1.
The Minho Warriors have performed averagely in their European campaign recently and look every bit the minnows coming into this match. They have not lost their last three Europa League fixtures, but have not managed to win either, as their last three
encounters ended in draws. The Archbishops have scored only four goals since the competition and conceded only two in their six Europa League meetings.
Manager Domingos Paciencia, however, remains confident that his side can defeat the Eagles and advance through to play in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Team news
SL Benfica
Jesus will have to do without the services of Nuno Gomes, who is sidelined due to an injury.
Probable Line-up: Roberto; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo
SC Braga
Paciencia will enjoy a clean bill of health for the upcoming clash.
Probable line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leandro-Salino-c21845; Ze Meyong, Alan, Lima.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Saviola-c18090 – SL Benfica
The 29-year-old striker is in good form as he has scored nine goals in 23 league games. He has given three valuable assists as well that makes him even more dangerous in the attacking third. It will be hard for the visitors’ defenders to restrict him
from finding the back of the net.
Lima – http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Braga-c40460
The Archbishops have to rely on their 27-year-old striker to score goals if they have any ambition to progress through to the final. Lima has scored six goals in 26 league appearances. The striker must put in a match winning performance for his team
to have any chance of winning this tie.
Prediction
It will be tough encounter between the two sides. However, the Eagles have played better football in their European campaign so far. Moreover, they will be playing in front of their home crowd that makes them the favourites to win the match. It will
be a 2-0 win in favour of the Eagles.
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