Boavista will be seeking to snap their eight-game winless run and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga table when they play host to Benfica at the Estadio do Bessa on Friday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the game off the back of two consecutive league victories and will look to keep the ball rolling and close the gap on rivals Sporting Lisbon who are four points ahead.

Match preview

Boavista continue to struggle for form away from home as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao last Saturday.

In a game where Jackson Porozo received his marching orders, Portuguese youngster Ricardo Matos put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute before Petar Musa restored parity five minutes away from the half-time break.

Following the result, Os Axadrezado have now failed to taste victory in any of their last eight games across all competitions, picking up six draws and losing two, stretching back to December's 1-0 win over Moreirense.

After a fine start to the season, where they picked up three wins from their opening four games, this poor run of results has seen Boavista fall into the bottom half of the Primeira Liga standings as they sit in 12th place with 21 points from 12 games.

Their struggles on the road has also been a major source of concern for manager Petit as his side remains one of just two teams yet to pick up an away win this season and boast the division's second-poorest record with just five points from 11 games.

Benfica, on the other hand, made it two wins from two last time out when they came from behind to grind out a 2-1 victory over Santa Clara at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

After Mohammad Mohebi gave Santa Clara a first-half lead with his 20th-minute strike, in-form forward Darwin Nunez took matters into his own hands as he struck twice after the interval to turn the tie on its head and hand the visitors their 10th league defeat.

Prior to that, Lucas Verissimo's side fell to two consecutive defeats, including a 2-1 loss at the hands of Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon in the Taca da Liga final on January 29, before ending this run with a 3-1 win over Tondela on February 7.

Benfica head into Friday's game unbeaten in all but one of their 11 away games this term, claiming nine wins and one draw, and are currently second in the away record standings having claimed 28 points on the road — only behind Porto who have picked up 29.

The 2018-19 champions are currently third in the league standings after amassing 50 points from 22 games so far and will be looking to close the gap on second-placed Sporting Lisbon who are four points ahead.

Benfica will feel confident of coming away with the desired result on Friday as they go up against an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in 14 of the last 16 meetings between the sides since 2014.

Verissimo's side follow this game with a highly-anticipated Champions League clash against Ajax next Wednesday, while Boavista visit the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to face Estoril Praia in round 24 of the Primeira Liga on February 27.

Team News

Boavista will take to the pitch without the services of 21-year-old forward Pedro Malheiro, who picked up an injury in the game against Arouca back in November.

Fellow countryman Miguel Reisinho is another name on Os Axadrezados injury list after the 22-year-old midfielder picked up a severe knee problem back in August.

Porozo is also out of contention for Boavista after the 21-year-old defender received his marching orders in the game against Portimonense last time out.

As for Benfica, the trio of Rodrigo Pinho, Lucas Verissimo and Haris Seferovic are all recuperating from injuries, with the Swiss forward set to miss his seventh consecutive game through a leg problem.

While Roman Yaremchuk made his return from an injury lay-off in the game against Santa Clara last time out, Gilberto continues his spell on the sidelines through a muscle problem.

With his brace against Os Acoreanos, Nunez now boasts 18 goals in 18 league appearances this term and we expect the 22-year-old forward to spearhead the attack once again.

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Ilori, Cannon, Abascal; Santos, Ntep, Makouta, Perez; Nije, Musa, Sauer

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Lazaro, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Everton, Weigl, Bernardo, Silva; Ramos, Nunez

We say: Boavista 1-3 Benfica

Boavista have struggled to get going since the turn of the year and find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the Primeira Liga standings. They now face a Benfica side who have been imperious in the history of this fixture, claiming 12 wins from their last 16 encounters. We predict a one-sided affair with the visitors coming away with a comfortable win.

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