Preview: Benfica vs Tondela - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off a hard-earned result on the continental front, Benfica will resume Primeira Liga action this Saturday when they welcome newly promoted Tondela to Estadio da Luz for matchday three.

The 10-man Eagles held Fenerbahce to a goalless draw in Istanbul in the first leg of their Champions League playoff and will now look to carry that resilience into domestic action as they aim to secure a win ahead of the return fixture next Tuesday.

Match preview

Benfica appear to be evolving from an overly explosive, free-flowing outfit into one that relies on defensive stability to grind out results, and their performances so far this season bear that out.

Having ended 2024-25 by both scoring and conceding in four games, more of the same was witnessed in two of their four outings at the Club World Cup, but Bruno Lage’s men have yet to concede in five competitive matches this term, although they have only managed six goals in that period.

While last weekend’s display at Estrela Amadora might not have been the most flamboyant, supporters of the Reds will take comfort in Vangelis Pavlidis’s second-half penalty being enough to seal maximum points and maintain a perfect start, with their league campaign having begun from matchday two.

The Eagles saw their opening fixture against Rio Ave postponed to ease a tight schedule brought about by continental duties, but they must now play Tondela this weekend before the decisive second leg of their Champions League tie.

Lage should feel he has all three points across his chest heading into Saturday, given his side have prevailed in each of their last four meetings of this fixture, completing a double in 2021-22.

That was the Gold and Greens’ last appearance in the top flight before finally earning their return this season after finishing top of Liga 2 in 2024-25.

The newly promoted outfit have shown endeavour in both league games so far but are yet to record either a point or a goal despite their spirited efforts.

Ivo Viera’s men were beaten 3-0 by Braga on the opening weekend, and although they twice struck the woodwork against Famalicao, Tondela still ended up on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline.

This weekend’s contest against last season’s Primeira Liga runners-up offers no respite for the Portuguese manager, who continues his search for a first league point in charge, even after steering the team to three wins and a draw in four pre-season fixtures.

Benfica Primeira Liga form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

Tondela Primeira Liga form:

Tondela form (all competitions):

Team News

Florentino Luis was dismissed against Fenerbahce in midweek, and since he will be unavailable for the return leg, the defensive midfielder is expected to start on Saturday.

Andreas Schjelderup should bring fresh energy in attack after being rested in midweek and is likely to operate out wide, with Fredrik Aursnes set to line up on the opposite flank.

Bruma, Manu Silva and Alexander Bah all remain sidelined through injury and will play no part this weekend.

For Tondela, holding midfielder Cicero faces a late fitness test to determine his involvement after being forced off injured last time out.

Thirty-one-year-old winger Ivan Cavaleiro, who was signed during the week, will be particularly motivated to feature against his former club.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Dahl, Silva, Otamendi, Dedic; Florentino; Schjelderup, Rios, Aursnes; Ivanovic, Pavlidis

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Fontes; Maviram, Cesco, Afonso, Manso; Huarte, Tavares, Hodge; Rodrigues, Miro, Maranhao

We say: Benfica 2-0 Tondela

Despite Benfica juggling both continental and domestic responsibilities, the Eagles are expected to emerge with maximum points here given their superior quality, so anything less than victory would be seen as a major shock.

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