Sports Mole previews Monday’s Primeira Liga clash between SC Farense and Benfica, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The final match of the 30th day of Primeira Liga will take place at the Estadio de Sao Luis, where SC Farense will host the reigning league champions Benfica.
Farense currently have 31 points after 29 games and sit 10th in the league standings, while the visitors are second and seven points behind championship leaders Sporting.
Match Preview
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Although Farense have done well on their return to the top flight, they still have work to do to ensure their survival with just four points separating them from Portimonense, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.
The Faro Lions head into this match off the back of a 1-1 away draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes, where they were moments away from claiming all three points. Bruno Duarté gave them the lead in the first 10 minutes of the match, but Jorge Fernandes’ goal in injury time forced Farense to settle for a point.
This result follows a 2-0 victory over Boavista a week earlier, and if José Mota’s side manage to take something from this match, it would be the first time this season that they have played three league matches in a row without defeat.
A 1-1 draw at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) in December will give the hosts confidence ahead of this match, although they have not beaten the Eagles in their last three attempts dating back to October 2020 .
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Meanwhile, Benfica will go into this competition looking to put their Europa League disappointment behind them and need a result here to keep the pressure on Sporting heading into the final part of the season.
Midweek, the Eagles saw their European run this season end at the hands of Ligue 1 side Marseille, who came back from a goal down to force a penalty shootout, which they went on to win 4-2.
Angel Di Mariawho scored the winning goal in the first leg, missed the first shot on goal in the shootout before the goalkeeper Paul Lopez checked in Antonio Silva‘s to give victory to the Phocaeans with all their shooters finding the target with their attempts.
Nevertheless, the Eagles will now return to the league, where they have been in very good form, having won four of their last five matches, their only defeat in this period coming against Os Leoes.
With five days to play and seven points to regain at Sporting, Roger SchmidtThe team can’t afford to drop any more points from now on, even if their recent away record hasn’t been the best, with just one win recorded in their last four outings (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses).
SC Farense Primeira Liga form:
Benfica Primeira Liga form:
Team News
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Farense will have to do without the services of their top scorer Bruno Duarte, who received his fifth yellow card of the season against Vitoria last week and will serve his match suspension here.
Duarte will be joined on the sidelines by Matthew Oliveirawhich is also suspended due to an accumulation of yolks, as well as Luis Felipewho is ruled out until next month due to a tendon injury.
The visitors will also be missing a few key players, with Juan Bernat still dealing with a knock and reported as a major doubt, while Thomas Araujo is sidelined with an ankle injury.
With the short turnaround starting midweek, Schmidt might consider shuffling his pack here, which could see the likes of Felipe Morato, Arthur Cabral And Alvaro Carreras return to the starting 11.
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pasteur, Silva, Rossi, Talys; Falcao, Barbosa, Caseres, Matias; Belloumi, Baldé
Benfica possible starting lineup:
flies away; Bah, Silva, Morato, Carreras; Mario, Neves; Campos, Silva, DiMaria; Cabral
We say: SC Farense 1-2 Benfica
With five matches remaining in the league season, Benfica must put their European disappointment behind them and need a positive result here to keep their league hopes alive. Although Farense have proven difficult to beat at home this season, we believe the Eagles will be able to get a result in this one.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
