Preview: Boavista vs. Benfica – Prediction, team news, lineups

Boavista And Benfica The curtain falls on the sixth round of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they face each other at the Estadio do Bessa on Monday.

With the excitement of their midweek Champions League win still in the air, As Aguias will go into this game with boundless confidence as they look to end their run of four consecutive away games without a win in the league.

Game Preview

© Imago

Boavista's problems from the start of the season continued last Monday when they were forced to a 2-2 draw with Estrela Amadora after twice giving away the lead at the Estadio Jose Gomes.

Bruno Onyemaechj And Ilija Voktic brought the guests into the lead, but Estrela responded with goals of their own through Kikas and former Manchester United winger Luis Nani when both sides agreed on a division of the spoils.

After finishing 15th last season, Boavista made a promising start to the new campaign, recording a 1-0 opening win at Cara Pia on 10 August, but a run of just two points from their next four games saw them crash back down to earth.

With the stalemate on Monday, Cristiano BacciThe men have now failed to win 13 of their last 14 Primeira Liga matches – losing nine and drawing four – with the narrow victory over Casa Pia in the season opener in August being the exception.

Next up, Boavista face the challenge of facing a team that is unbeaten in 17 of its last 20 meetings – with 14 wins and three draws – a run that does not bode well as they look to record their first home win since beating Moreirense 1-0 on March 9.

© Imago

Benfica, on the other hand, made a dream start to the 2024-25 Champions League season, securing a 2-1 win over Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.

Kerem Akturkoglu and Turkish international Storm Cook scored goals in the first half at the Rajko Mitic Stadium to give the visitors the lead before the 24-year-old striker Milson In the 86th minute, Red Star Belgrade reduced the score to 1-0.

This was in line with their good run of results in the Primeira Liga, where As Aguias recovered from their opening loss to Famalicao in August to secure three wins and a draw in their subsequent four matches.

Benfica had to show what they were capable of in their last league matches as they came from behind to win 4-1 against Santa Clara last Saturday, with goals from Akturkoglu, Florentino Luis, Antonio Silva And Angel Di Maria.

Bruno LageThe men will be looking to pick up where they left off in the Champions League when they travel to the Estadio do Bessa after four consecutive away games without a win in the Primeira Liga. They have lost twice and drawn two since a 3-1 victory at Farense on April 22.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

Boavista form (all competitions):

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

Benfica form (All competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Boavista has to make do without the services of its regular goalkeeper Joao Goncalveswho missed the game against Estrela Amadora last Monday due to a knee injury.

With experienced goalkeeper Cesar Dutra also excluded due to a cruciate ligament injury, Tome Sousa received a starting position against Estrela and the 17-year-old is likely to be between the posts again.

Other names on the club’s injury list are Morales Pireswho is currently recovering from a knee injury, while the 25-year-old midfielder Miguel Reisinho is expected to miss his second consecutive game due to shoulder problems.

Benfica will have to play without the 23-year-old striker Tiago Gouveiawho has missed the last three games since injuring his shoulder against Estrela on August 24.

Renato Sanchez suffered a muscle injury against Moreirense on 30 August and is also out of the running for As Aguias, while Alexander Bah is very doubtful after sustaining an injury in the first half against Red Star Belgrade during the week that ended the game.

Akturkoglu has hit his stride since joining from Galatasaray and the Turkish striker, who scored in each of his two games, was expected to form the visitors' attacking quarter alongside Di Maria. Benjamin Rollheiser and Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis.

Possible starting eleven for Boavista:
Sousa; Gomes, Abascal, Onyemaechi, Ferreira, Vukotic; Camara, Perez; Miguel, Bozenik, Agra

Possible starting eleven for Benfica:
Trubin; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Kokcu, Luis; Di Maria, Rollheiser, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis

We think: Boavista 1-3 Benfica

After a positive result in the Champions League, Benfica returns to league matches full of confidence and wants to show strong form at the start of the season.

While we expect Boavista to struggle in front of their home crowd, Lage's men have the firepower to get the job done and we're tipping them to take all three points.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

Preview by email