Casa Pia vs Benfica – News and Probable Lineups

Benfica is set to return from the international break aiming to resume their strong form, facing Casa Pia on Monday as they strive for a remarkable turnaround in the Primeira Liga title race.

The Eagles enjoyed six victories from their last seven league matches before the break and will look to add another to their tally against opponents who haven’t tasted victory in their previous four encounters (D2, L2).

Match overview

After failing to defend their Taca da Liga title and being knocked out of both the Portuguese Cup and the Champions League, Jose Mourinho’s only remaining chance for silverware in his second tenure at Benfica hinges on a challenging path in the top flight.

Currently, the Eagles are placed third in the Primeira Liga standings, trailing by seven points from the top, a gap that could potentially widen without them taking to the field, as leaders Porto will host Famalicao at the Estadio do Dragao a day prior.

Sporting Lisbon’s win against Santa Clara on Friday has also pushed Benfica three points behind their Lisbon rivals, who still have a match in hand due to the postponement of their matchweek 26 encounter.

With the odds not in their favor in the title race, Mourinho will hope that his side’s late-season surge bears fruit, as they seek to secure their third consecutive victory following a 3-0 win against Vitoria de Guimaraes before the break.

Having made his fourth appearance after a Champions League suspension, Gianluca Prestiani scored the first goal in the 14th minute, followed by Vangelis Pavlidis, who broke his six-match scoring drought in the second half, with a Beni Mukendi own goal wrapping up the victory.

This win extended Benfica’s undefeated league streak to 42 matches (W30, D12), making them the only team in the Portuguese top flight yet to lose this season, while they have also netted at least two goals in each of their last four fixtures.

On the other hand, Casa Pia has previously demonstrated their capacity to challenge the league’s frontrunners by halting Porto’s unbeaten league run earlier in the season, and they will seek to draw motivation from that feat to break their current streak without a win.

A lack of precision in front of goal has plagued their recent performances, with Alvaro Pacheco’s team failing to find the net in three of their last four contests, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Estrela Amadora just before the break, where they conceded three goals in the first half.

Notably, all three of Casa Pia’s losses in their last nine matches have come after trailing at halftime, while both their victories in this period occurred when they led at the interval, underscoring the critical nature of a strong start in this match.

Currently sitting in the relegation playoff position, the Geese are one point away from safety, yet they possess games in hand over some of their rivals, suggesting that a favorable result could be vital for their survival ambitions.

Casa Pia can take heart from their home form, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches at Estadio Pina Manique (W2, D3), and they have performed well in recent fixtures against Benfica.

The Geese secured points in the last two meetings with Benfica, winning 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last season and earning a 1-1 draw earlier this season.

Team News

Casa Pia will be without winger Kiki Silva, who has yet to play this season due to injury, and midfielder Lawrence Ofori is also doubtful after missing the past three matches.

Club captain Jose Fonte has made his return from a significant injury layoff and played as a substitute in the first half for fellow central defender Kaly in the last match, with the 42-year-old now vying for his first league start since matchday 17.

Cassiano is expected to lead the attack once more, with the seasoned striker seeking to regain his scoring form after failing to find the net in his last two appearances.

For Benfica, Bruma, Nuno Felix, and Joao Veloso remain unavailable due to injuries, while Fredrik Aursnes is not yet prepared to return as he continues to recover from a muscle issue.

Leandro Barreiro is also a question mark after returning from international duty with some physical discomfort and will undergo a late fitness assessment.

After ending a six-match goal drought with his goal against Vitoria, Pavlidis enters this fixture with renewed confidence as he aims to further his league tally of 21, leaving him three goals shy of Luis Suarez in the race for the Golden Boot.

Casa Pia probable starting XI:

Sequeira; Goulart, Fonte, Geraldes; Larrazabal, Perez, Brito, Conte; Livolant, Cassiano, Livramento

Benfica probable starting XI:

Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Despite Benfica not having the best outcomes in their two most recent encounters with Casa Pia, they come into this match in formidable form, while Casa Pia struggles to find their rhythm.

Nonetheless, the score might end up being close, given the hosts’ solid home performance lately, but Mourinho’s side should be able to secure all three points in a contest where both teams might score, as seen in each of the Geese’s last four matches at Pina Manique.