Estoril vs Benfica – News and Probable Lineups

Benfica will visit Estoril Praia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday for the last round of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga season, fully aware that a win is crucial to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.

Two consecutive draws have resulted in the Eagles dropping to third place in the Portuguese top-flight rankings, now trailing second-placed Sporting Lisbon by two points, while the ninth-placed Canaries are barely maintaining a position in the upper half based on head-to-head results and goal difference compared to the teams below them.

Match overview

A thrilling victory in the Derby de Lisboa on matchday 30 had briefly reignited Benfica’s aspirations for a top-two finish, as they soared over Sporting into second place, which they solidified with a commanding win against Moreirense.

Nevertheless, Jose Mourinho’s squad has now fallen back to third after two consecutive 2-2 draws against Famalicao and Braga, the latter occurring at Estadio da Luz on Monday, where Vangelis Pavlidis’ stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point.

This result represented yet another hurdle in Benfica’s quest for a fourth successive top-two finish, marking their league-high total draws at 11, though it also extended the Eagles’ unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga to 48 matches (W37, D11), going back to last season.

The Reds have found the back of the net two or more times in 12 of their last 13 league encounters, highlighting their offensive prowess, although they have been less reliable defensively, achieving only two clean sheets in their last 10 matches.

This match could also be pivotal for Mourinho, as speculation regarding a potential return to Real Madrid continues to mount, and failing to secure a top-two finish would cast a shadow over his second term at the club, especially considering the exits from the Champions League, Taca de Portugal, and Taca da Liga.

Regardless, Benfica remains in a favorable position away from home, having triumphed in 11 out of their 16 away league fixtures this season (D5), with only Porto (14) and Sporting (12) amassing more away wins.

On the other hand, Estoril currently has nothing to worry about regarding relegation, sitting 10 points above the playoff spot, while European qualification is unattainable, as Ian Cathro’s team is 14 points shy of the top five. Thus, their focus shifts to aiming for a second consecutive top-half finish after concluding the previous season in eighth position.

However, the Canaries find themselves winless in seven matches (D2, L5), marking the longest ongoing winless streak in the division, having followed their draw at Braga with another 1-1 stalemate against Alverca last weekend, where Andre Lacximicant scored an equalizer just two minutes after being brought on as a half-time substitute.

Estoril has conceded the opening goal in each of their last five matches and have allowed 54 league goals overall — the highest among teams in the top half — while their offensive output has significantly decreased, scoring only seven times in their last 10 outings.

Additionally, home form raises concerns for the Canaries, who have lost each of their last three matches at Coimbra da Mota and are winless in four appearances there (D1, L3), a record that does not bode well, particularly as the Cascais club has also suffered defeats in their last eight league encounters against Benfica.

Team News

Benfica boasts nearly a full complement of players and welcomes back captain Nicolas Otamendi and midfielder Richard Rios, both returning from suspension.

Pavlidis could rejoin the attack following his stoppage-time penalty last time out, which brought his league tally to 22 goals, five behind Sporting’s Luis Suarez in the race for the Bola de Prata.

For Estoril, Yanis Begraoui, who has netted 20 league goals this season, will again spearhead the attack and will aim to find the net again after failing to do so last time.

Defenders Antef Tsoungui and Pedro Carvalho are both suspended, though Kevin Boma returns from injury and is expected to bolster the defense.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jandro Orellana remains uncertain after missing recent squads, while Joel Robles is anticipated to continue between the posts.

Estoril Praia probable starting XI:

Oaks; Ferro, Bacher, Boma; Sanchez, Xeka, Holsgrove, G Costa; Guitane, Begraoui, Carvalho

Benfica probable starting XI:

Trubin; Dedic, T Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Schjelderup, R Silva, Prestianni; Pavlidis

Benfica has more at stake in this match, as failing to secure full points would further impair their slim chances of ending up second, and they will also benefit from the returns of Otamendi and Rios.

On the other hand, Estoril is expected to be without two defenders, further diminishing a side that has been facing difficulties recently, which leads to a likely victory for the visitors here.