Benfica vs Arouca: What to Expect?
Benfica are set to clash with Arouca in a Primeira Liga showdown this Saturday. All eyes are on Benfica to bounce back after their Champions League defeat against Newcastle. A victory here is crucial for their league aspirations.
Arouca, fresh from their Portuguese Cup win, face a tough challenge. Expect them to adopt a cautious approach, focusing on counter-attacks rather than dominating possession. The match kicks off at 20:30 SAST.
Mourinho's Tactical Masterclass?
Benfica manager José Mourinho is shaking things up! He's making several changes to the starting eleven compared to the Newcastle game. Most notably, Argentinian forward Prestianni gets the nod, a surprising move considering his recent international duty with Argentina's U-20 team. Aursnes will fill in at right-back due to Dedic's injury.
Confirmed Lineups
- Benfica: Trubin; Aursnes, TomĂĄs AraĂșjo, Otamenti, Dahl; Richard RĂos, Barrenechea; Lukebakio, Prestianni, Sudakov; Pavlidis.
- Arouca: Featuring Omar Fayed, making his Primeira Liga debut in central defence alongside José Fontån. Fayed, on loan from Fenerbahçe, previously played in the Portuguese Cup.
Historical Context
Benfica historically dominates this fixture, with 17 wins in 20 encounters across all competitions. Arouca's sole victory came back in 2015. Since then, Benfica has won 12 out of 13 matches.
Benfica's Recent Form
Benfica's form has been patchy, with only one win in their last four games. They've suffered defeats against Chelsea and Newcastle in the Champions League and drew with FC Porto in the league. They currently sit third in the Primeira Liga with 18 points, four behind leaders FC Porto.
This promises to be an interesting match with Mourinho's tactical tweaks and Arouca's determination to cause an upset. Stay tuned for the result!