High-flying Benfica continue their charge for a record-extending 38th Primeira Liga title as they lock horns with Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday.
Having failed to win any of the last 20 meetings between the sides, Os Vimaranenses will be desperate to get one over the hosts and make it back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time this season.
Match preview
© Reuters
With just 10 games to go before the 2022-23 campaign shuts close, confidence is brewing in the Benfica camp as they look increasingly likely to end their four-year quest for the Primeira Liga crown.
After storming to the 2018-19 league title, Roger Schmidt's side secured a second-placed finish in the 2020-21 campaign before securing consecutive third-placed finishes in the last two seasons.
The 37-time Portuguese champions made it six wins on the bounce last Sunday as they steamrolled Maritimo 3-0 when the sides squared off at the Estadio do Maritimo.
Former Ajax man David Neres turned in another eye-catching performance as he scored either side of Joao Mario's 50th-minute strike to hand the home side their 16th defeat of the season.
This followed a 5-1 thrashing of Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on March 7 which saw them knock out the Belgian outfit 7-1 on aggregate to record consecutive quarter-finals appearances.
Benfica, who have won eight consecutive league matches since January's 2-2 draw against league rivals Sporting Lisbon, currently sit at the summit of the Primeira Liga table with an eight-point cushion over second-placed Porto.
© Reuters
Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth in the Primeira Liga as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arouca when the sides met last Saturday.
Rafa Mujica and Antony Alves were on target in the second half as Armando Evangelista's men picked up their first away win since edging out Segunda Liga side Moreirense 2-1 in the Taca da Liga on December 22.
Prior to that, Vitoria de Guimaraes were on a run of six consecutive games without defeat, picking up an impressive five wins and one draw, while scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time.
While Os Vimaranenses will be looking to return to winning ways and strengthen their position in the top half of the table, they face the stern challenge of taking on a Benfica side who are unbeaten in each of their previous 20 encounters, claiming 16 wins and four draws since November 2012.
Vitoria de Guimaraes head into the weekend on a fine run of form on the road, where they are unbeaten in three consecutive matches, picking up two wins and one draw since kicking off the year with a 2-1 loss at Gil Vicente.
Team News
© Reuters
Experienced defender Mihailo Ristic suffered a muscle injury in January's game against Arouca and the Serbian has been ruled out of Saturday's matchup.
He is joined on As Aguias' injury table by playmaker Goncalo Guedes and German forward Julian Draxler, who are currently recuperating from knee and ankle injuries respectively.
With his brace against Maritimo, Neres now has eight goal involvements in his last nine matches and the Brazilian forward should retain his role in the final third, alongside Mario and Goncalo Ramos.
Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, will be without goalkeeper Bruno Varela, who has missed the last two matches after picking up muscle injury.
Portuguese midfielder Ze Carlos is yet to feature for the visitors this year as he continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a knee injury in December.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Otamendi, Silva, Grimaldo; Aursnes, Luis; Neres, Mario, Silva; Ramos
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Oliveira; Maga, Villanueva, Amaro, Freitas; Bamba, Andre; Janvier, Andre Silva, J Silva; Anderson Silva
We say: Benfica 3-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes
Not only have Benfica enjoyed a superb domestic campaign, but they have also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Schmidt's side have been imperious in the history of this fixture and we anticipate another one-sided affair with As Aguias prevailing once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
