How Benfica could line up against Club Brugge

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt should be working around the absences of two players for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Club Brugge at the Estadio da Luz.

With a 2-0 lead to protect from the first leg, Benfica remain without long-term ankle victim Julian Draxler while Mihailo Ristic's muscular problem will keep him out.

However, Chiquinho and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Goncalo Guedes have both overcome concerns to make themselves available, although neither man should push for a start here.

A mixture of youth and experience will line up in front of number one Odisseas Vlachodimos, as wily veteran Nicolas Otamendi and much-coveted 19-year-old Antonio Silva form the centre-back partnership.

Alexander Bah, who is fine after a late fitness scare, and Alejandro Grimaldo should occupy the full-back roles, while Fredrik Aursnes and Florentino occupy the base of the midfield.

Crashing home a penalty off the crossbar in the first leg, Joao Mario has scored in four successive Champions League games and could become the first Benfica man to do so in five since Eusebio in the 1960s.

Mario ought to form a recognisable attacking quartet with Rafa Silva, David Neres and Goncalo Ramos, whose brace against Famalicao at the weekend took him up to 21 goals for the season in all competitions.

Benfica possible starting lineup: Vlachodimos; Bah, Otamendi, A. Silva, Grimaldo; Aursnes, Florentino; Mario, R. Silva, Neres; Ramos

> Click here to see how Club Brugge could line up for the second leg