Preview: Benfica vs. Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off the back of booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Benfica play host to Estoril Praia at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in round 30 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

The Canarinhos, meanwhile, will be desperate to get one over the hosts having failed to taste victory in any of the last 18 meetings between the sides since 2013.

Match preview

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A goalless draw against Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie meant it was all to play for in Tuesday's return leg at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Despite playing on enemy territory, it was the Portuguese side who prevailed as in-form forward Darwin Nunez delivered the goods once again, scoring the only goal of the game to send the Dutch champions packing.

Benfica now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Vizela when the sides squared off last Friday.

Nelson Verissimo's side are now unbeaten in each of their last eight games across all competitions, claiming five wins and three draws since a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Gil Vicente on February 2.

With 58 points from 26 games, Benfica are currently third in the Primeira Liga standings, six points off rivals Sporting Lisbon and 12 behind Porto at the summit of the table.

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Estoril Praia, on the other hand, ended their three-game winless run last time out when they saw off Portimonense 2-0 at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Mallorca loanee Jordi Mboula opened the scoring in the 29th minute to hand the Canarinhos the lead before Francisco Geraldes put the result beyond doubt with a 46th-minute strike.

Bruno Pinheiro's men head into Sunday's game on a run of just two wins from their last 13 games in all competitions, losing seven and claiming four draws in that time.

For all their recent struggles, Estoril Praia are currently in seventh place in the league standings after picking up 34 points from 26 rounds of matches.

While they will be seeking to pick up successive league wins for the first time since September, next up is an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last 18 meetings between the teams since 2013, claiming 15 wins and three draws in that time.

Team News

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Benfica will have to make do with the absence of veteran midfielder Adel Taarabt as the 32-year-old will serve a one-match suspension after receiving an early bath against Vizela last Friday.

On the injury front, As Aguias remain without the Brazilian duo of Rodrigo Pinho and Lucas Verissimo, who have been sidelined through muscle and knee injuries respectively.

Haris Seferovic is also out of contention for Sunday's game after the Swiss forward came off with a leg problem back in January's game against Moreirense.

Meanwhile, Estoril Praia will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian defender Lucas Africo, who has been sidelined since last November through a knee problem.

He is joined on the club's injury table by Roma loanee Ruben Providence, who is currently recuperating from an ankle problem, while Rui Fonte misses out through a muscle injury.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Weigl, Bernardo; Silva, Ramo, Yaremchuk; Nunez

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Figueira; Soria, Ferraresi, Vital, Joaozinho; Gamboa, Geraldes; Gomes, Franco, Mboula; Ruiz

We say: Benfica 2-0 Estoril Praia

Off the back of ending their three-game losing streak, Estoril Praia will head into Sunday's game with renewed confidence as they look to strengthen their position in the top half of the table. However, standing in their way is a spirited Benfica side who will be in full steam following their Tuesday's Champions League triumph. We are backing Benfica to extend their dominance over the Canarinhos and come away with all three points.