Benfica make the short trip just outside Lisbon to face Estoril Praia in the Primeira Liga on Saturday night.

After another defeat in Europe this week, Roger Schmidt will hope his side can maintain their fine run of wins domestically before the international break.

Match preview

Starting their Champions League campaign with back-to-back defeats was not in the script for Benfica, but they have it all to do now to turn things around and progress from a challenging group.

While they put up a good fight in defeat to Red Bull Salzburg with 10 men on matchday one, Benfica were hopeless at San Siro on Tuesday and were deservedly beaten by Inter Milan.

Schmidt can be glad that his side left Italy with just a 1-0 defeat against their name, as Inter could quite easily have scored five or six, as Lautaro Martinez hit post and bar and the Nerazzurri racked up an xG of 3.82.

It was a disappointing showing given that Benfica would have entered the fixture in high spirits after their 1-0 win in O Classico against Porto last week.

That win marked a sixth-straight victory for the current Portuguese champions, ever since losing on the opening day to Boavista.

The slip up early on in the campaign means they are still one point behind local rivals Sporting Lisbon, and they cannot afford any more results like that before facing the league leaders in mid-November, as Sporting also have three winnable league games before that showdown.

Estoril would appear to be ideal opponents in that case, but even though they sit in the bottom three, level on points with Chaves at the foot of the table, Vasco Seabra's side have shown plenty of encouraging signs.

It is remarkable that Estoril remain in one of the automatic relegation positions, considering they have scored more goals than Porto and just one fewer than Sporting.

That is because they have been on the wrong end of three thrilling encounters already this season away from home - losing 4-3 at Arouca, 5-3 at Gil Vicente and 3-2 at Vitoria Guimaraes last time out.

All four of their points therefore, have come here at home, beating Rio Ave and drawing with Vizela.

It was that draw which ultimately cost Alvaro Pacheco his job though, despite only being hired in the summer.

Seabra has come in and has a huge task on his hands, with Benfica, Porto and Braga all to come in the next five for Estoril.

The Guimaraes defeat in his opening game in charge was hugely frustrating for the new boss, as they led 2-0 but then had Jordan Holsgrove sent off, before losing to a 93rd-minute penalty.

It is extremely concerning for Estoril that they find themselves in the position they are in without yet facing any of the big four after seven games.

They must hope their ability at scoring goals can cause problems for some of the big sides they have to face in the coming weeks.

However, their leaky defence must be tightened up, otherwise the likes of Benfica here will take full advantage.

Estoril also have a terrible record at home to Benfica, as they have lost 11 of the 12 meetings with the Eagles on home soil.

Loreintz Rosier, who departed over the summer, scored the 90th-minute equaliser on the only occasion when Estoril have avoided defeat, back in 2021.

Team News

Angel Di Maria is the big injury doubt for Benfica heading into this one after going off against Inter in midweek.

The Argentine would be a notable miss, as he is Benfica's top scorer so far this season and is tied with five other players at the top of the league's scoring charts.

Antonio Silva will be available for selection again after he served a one-match ban in Europe following his red card against Salzburg.

As one defender returns though, another will miss out, as Alexander Bah also picked up a problem at San Siro and is absent.

The right-back's injury may well see David Jurasek come in, with new signing Juan Bernat on the opposite flank after making his debut against Inter.

Joao Victor will not be up for selection after Schmidt banished the Brazilian from the squad this week, citing concerns over his performance in training which led to a falling out between the two.

Estoril will be without Scottish midfielder Holsgrove after his red card at Guimaraes last weekend.

Former Porto and Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala will remain on the sidelines for the hosts after picking up an injury in late August.

Portugal Under-21 international Joao Marques could come back into the side after starting the last two on the bench.

Marques has been lively in what looks set to be a breakout season for the youngster, having already contributed to five goals in five starts in the league.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Marcelo Carne; Vital, Volnei, Pedro Alvaro; Rodrigo Gomes, Alex Soares, Mateus Fernandes, Tiago Araujo; Guitane, Cassiano, Heriberto Tavares

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Jurasek, Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Juan Bernat; Aursnes, Kokcu, Joao Neves; David Neres, Arthur Cabral, Rafa Silva

We say: Estoril Praia 1-4 Benfica

Benfica have been ruthless in the league since losing to Boavista on the opening day and should have too much for their hosts here.

Estoril have been in fine goalscoring form all season but simply concede too many goals, and Benfica will expect to take advantage of that in this one.


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