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Primeira Liga | Gameweek 17
Feb 5, 2021 at 7pm UK
Estádio da Luz
VD

Benfica
0 - 0
Guimaraes


Weigl (67')
FT

Andre (32'), Trmal (90+2')

Preview: Benfica vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Benfica vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:433546: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Friday's Primeira Liga clash between Benfica and Vitoria de Guimaraes, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Benfica welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes to the Estadio da Luz on Friday evening as the hosts look to end their three-game winless run in the league.

Joao Henriques's men, on the other hand, are in fine form. The visitors have won three consecutive matches and could move to within a point of the Eagles if they secure a victory in the capital.


Match preview

The Portuguese giants have been enduring a torrid time of late. They have won just one of their last five encounters in all competitions, a run that has seen them crash out of the Taca da Liga and fall to fourth position in the Primeira Liga standings.

A 1-0 loss last time out to table-toppers Sporting Lisbon means that Jorge Jesus's side trail their city rivals by nine points after just 16 games.

The Estadio da Luz outfit have been hampered by a coronavirus outbreak within the first-team squad in recent weeks, but even so, Jesus will be disappointed with how his players have performed.

In each of their last three top-flight fixtures, Benfica have failed to find the back of the net on more than one occasion. These troubles in front of goal have been amplified by the striking trio of Luca Waldschmidt, Darwin Nunez and Haris Seferovic embarking on a barren run at the same time.

If Jesus is to survive this poor spell and remain at the helm of the 37-time Portuguese champions, then he surely cannot afford to drop any more points on Friday.

Guimaraes are currently sitting in sixth position in the league table, only four points behind their upcoming opponents with a game in hand.

A 1-0 victory over Maritimo over the weekend means Henriques has seen his team collect 13 points from a possible 18 and move to within the European qualification places.

Their success this season has been built on solid foundations as the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques outfit have the joint-second best defensive record in the division.

Having leaked just 13 goals in 15 league outings to date, the White Angels will be confident that they can maintain this good streak of form and continue their surge up the table.

A win on Friday would be their most impressive yet and fill them with belief that continental football could be an achievable ambition for 2021-22.

Benfica Primeira Liga form: WDWDDL
Benfica form (all competitions): WDLDWL

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: WLDWWW


Team News

Influential winger Everton and experienced goalkeeper Helton Leite have both tested positive for coronavirus and are having to self-isolate, ruling them out of this one.

They are joined on the sidelines by long-term absentee Andre Almeida, who continues to recover from a cruciate ligament injury, alongside Waldschmidt, who picked up a foot injury the other week.

Guimaraes have several first-team players unavailable either through injury or illness, leaving Henriques short of options.

Bruno Varela and defensive midfielder Pepelu have contracted COVID-19 and will therefore be unable to play any part in the trip to face Benfica.

Long-term absentee Matheus Mascarenhas is joined on the treatment table by Joseph Amoah, Yann Aurel Bisseck, Mikel Agu, Jacob Maddox and Silvio.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Vertonghen, Jardel, Otamendi; Grimaldo, Weigl, Pizzi, Gilberto; Cervi, Seferovic, Silva

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Sacko, Suliman, Mumin, Mensah; Almeida, Wakaso, Andre; Quaresma, Estupinan, Rochinha


We say: Benfica 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

This should be a tight contest between two teams in contrasting form. Another defeat could be fatal for Jesus, but with his Benfica team seriously struggling of late, we fancy Guimaraes to come away with a share of the spoils.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data




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1Sporting Lisbon30262287276080
2Benfica31244371254676
3Porto30195655243162
4Braga31195764442062
5Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes31186746321460
6AroucaArouca311361253421145
7MoreirenseMoreirense30127113034-443
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10Rio AveRio Ave3151793339-632
11Gil Vicente3188153950-1132
12SC FarenseFarense3087153944-531
13BoavistaBoavista3179153557-2230
14Estoril PraiaEstoril3086164552-730
15Estrela Amadora30611133246-1429
16PortimonensePortimonense3077163464-3028
17ChavesChaves3158183165-3423
18Vizela31410173063-3322
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