Benfica and Braga square off for the third time since the turn of the year when they go head to head in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday.
The first two meetings between the two sides in 2025 have been split, with Os Arcebispos claiming a 2-1 league victory on January 4, four days before losing 3-0 in their Taca da Liga semi-final clash.
Match preview
Benfica continued to charge on in their push for the 2024-25 Portuguese Primeira Liga crown as they thrashed Boavista 3-0 when the two sides met at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday.
In a game where Miguel Reisinho received his marching orders, Andrea Belotti opened his account in Portugal with a 28th-minute strike to set the hosts on their way before Vangelis Pavlidis and Orkun Kokcu netted second-half goals to cap off an impressive team goal. Â
This came just four days after Benfica booked their spot in the round of 16 of the Champions League as they fought back from behind twice to salvage a 3-3 draw against Monaco in the second leg of their knockout-stage clash and complete a thrilling 4-3 aggregate victory over the French outfit.
Bruno Lage's men, who have now moved level on 53 points with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the Primeira Liga standings, turn their focus to the Taca de Portugal, where they are aiming to clinch the title for the first time since 2017.
Benfica kicked off their cup quest with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Estrela Amadora on November 23, two months before securing a 3-1 win over Farense at the Estadio de Sao Luis in the fifth round. Â
On the other hand, Braga needed a 95th-minute strike from veteran midfielder Joao Moutinho to snatch a 2-1 victory over third-tier Dezembro in their cup opener on October 19, before making light work of Leixoes in a 2-0 win at the Sea Stadium.
Os Arcebispos avoided an upset in the fifth round on January 15 as Andre Horta and Ricardo Horta netted first-half goals to inspire them to a nervy 2-1 victory over Campeonato de Portugal side Lusitano Evora on home turf.
Braga head into Wednesday's clash fresh off the back of securing a 1-0 win over Nacional in their Primeira Liga clash at the Estadio Braga Municipal courtesy of a 37th-minute effort from French midfielder Jean-Baptiste Gorby.
Carlos Carvalhal's side journey to the Estadio da Luz unbeaten in each of their most recent seven matches across all competitions, picking up six wins and one draw since a 2-1 defeat against Belgian side Union SG in the Europa League on January 23.
However, it is worth noting that Braga have lost all but one of their most recent six away games against Benfica, with a narrow 3-2 victory in the league back in November 2020 being the exception.
Team News
Benfica remain without several players down the spine of the team as Manuel Jorge Silva (ACL), Alexander Bah (ACL) and Tiago Gouveia (shoulder) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Veteran forward Angel Di Maria has missed the last three games since suffering a hamstring injury against Monaco on February 12 while Renato Sanches is recuperating from a thigh problem.
Having completed a loan switch from Como in January, Belotti got off the mark for As Aguias last weekend and the 31-year-old striker will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
On the other hand, Braga will be unable to name 25-year-old defender Sikou Niakate, who is set to sit out his fifth straight game since picking up a thigh injury against Lazio in January.
Other than that, Os Arcebispos will head into Wednesday's clash with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Carvalhal a relatively full-strength squad at his disposal.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Soares; Araujo, Otamendi, Carreras, Santos, Kokcu, Aursnes, Dahl; Amdouni, Belotti, Bruma
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Gomez, Oliveira, Arrey-Mbi, Chissumba; Moutinho, Gorby; Fernandes, Horta, Gharbi; El Ouazzani
We say: Benfica 3-1 Braga
Benfica moved level with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the table with a resounding victory over Boavista at the weekend and will head into Wednesday's with sky-high confidence.
While we expect Braga to put up a fight, As Aguias boasts a solid home record in this fixture and we see them coming away with the desired result to reach the semi-finals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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