Two sides in contrasting ends of the Primeira Liga standings go head to head on Sunday when Benfica play host to Maritimo at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
The newly-promoted side head into the weekend as one of just two sides who are yet to pick up any points this season and will be desperate to end this poor record.
Match preview
© Reuters
Benfica maintained their 100% record in Group H of the Champions League when they fought back from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium last Wednesday.
Having claimed a 2-0 win over Malmo in their group opener, Joao Mario converted his 43rd-minute penalty to cancel out Arkadiusz Milik's fourth-minute opener, before David Neres volleyed home the winner 10 minutes after the restart.
Benfica now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they have picked up six wins from their opening six games, including a 1-0 victory away to Famalicao in their most recent outing on September 10.
Roger Schmidt's side, who secured a third-placed finish last term, have staked their claim as early contenders for the league crown as they sit top of the standings with a two-point cushion over second-placed Braga.
Benfica head into the weekend on a blistering run of 18 consecutive wins across all competitions, stretching back to a 1-0 loss against Porto on May 7, when Zaidu Sanusi struck in the 94th minute to hand the Dragoes all three points.
© Reuters
On the other hand, Maritimo hit a new low in what has been a shambolic start to the season as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Gil Vicente at the Estadio do Maritimo last weekend.
Brazilian defender Leo scored in the 27th minute to put the hosts ahead at half time for the second straight game, but Spanish forward Fran Navarro netted twice in the second half to hand the Gilistas a comeback victory.
O Maior das Ilha have now lost each of their opening six games of the season — a run which saw Vasco Seabra vacate his role as head coach — and this has been owing to their defensive frailties, where they have conceded the division's highest number of goals so far (17).
Sunday's visitors head into the weekend winless in 10 consecutive league outings, losing eight and picking up two draws, while they have managed just one win from their last 15 games since February.
While new head coach Joao Henriques faces the stern challenge of taking Maritimo from the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, his first assignment sees his side square off against a Benfica side who have won each of the last four meetings between the teams since a 2-0 victory in June 2020.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Off the back of a thrilling Champions League victory over Juventus, Schmidt could name an unchanged starting side this weekend, with Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva forming a centre-back pairing.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Mario, who has five goals in his last five games, should team up with Goncalo Ramos and Neres in the final third, while Enzo Fernandes and Florentino Luis should retain their roles at the centre of the park.
On the injury front, Benfica will be without the Brazilian trio of Joao Victor, Lucas Verissimo and Felipe Morato, who all continue their spells on the sidelines, while defender Tomas Tavares is currently recuperating from a knee problem.
After setting up Leo's opener, Bruno Xadas was forced off at half time against Gil Vicente last time out and the former Braga midfielder is a doubt for Maritimo.
Fellow midfielder Andre Vidigal remains out of contention for O Maior das Ilha as he serves the second of his three-game suspension for picking up a straight red against Santa Clara on September 4.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Silva, Grimaldo; Fernandez, Luis; Neres, Silva, Mario; Musa
Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Silva; Costa, China, Leo; Winck, Mendes, Sonora, Bauque, Brito; Moreno, Tagueu
We say: Benfica 3-0 Maritimo
Benfica will be licking their lips as they take on a Maritimo side who have endured a horror start to the season. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, and their contrasting form, we are backing Schmidt's side to coast to all three points in front of their home fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
