Preview: Vizela vs. Benfica - prediction, team news, lineups

Vizela host Benfica at the Estadio do Vizela for a quarter-final clash in the Taca de Portugal on Thursday night.

The Vizelenses will be out for revenge after their defeat to the Eagles in the fourth round of the same competition back in 2019.

Match preview

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Vizela's struggles continue, as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga following a dismal run of four consecutive defeats, including a 1-0 defeat to Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out.

Ruben de la Barrera was appointed as manager in December after the dismissal of Pablo Villar, but the Spaniard has found it difficult to inspire the Vizelenses, as they have failed to win any league game since his arrival.

The side from Braga district have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions - a 1-0 victory over Arouca in the Taca de Portugal round of 16.

However, it is worth noting that they have navigated the competition so far without needing extra time, scoring four goals and conceding only one in three games.

Next in line is an opponent they have never beaten, losing six and drawing one of seven encounters, including a loss in their only previous meeting in this competition.

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Benfica have won all but one of their last 11 matches across all competitions, with the loss coming via penalties against Estoril in the League Cup after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

In their last outing, the Eagles recorded a 3-0 win over Gil Vincente courtesy of goals from Arthur Cabral, Joao Neves and Rafa Silva.

Roger Schmidt's men, the reigning Primeira Liga champions, have not lost in the top flight since the opening weekend of the new campaign back in August, and they sit at the top of the table, having played one more game than city rivals Sporting Lisbon at the summit.

Benfica now turn their attention to the Taca de Portugal, a competition that they have won a record 26 times in its 86-year history, but the Eagles last celebrated success in 2017 and have not reached the final since 2021 when they lost to Wednesday's opponents Braga.

Their path to the round of 16 included a 4-1 win over Lusitania, a 2-0 victory over Famalicao, before pipping rivals Braga 3-2 in the last round.

Team News

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Vizela remain without the services of Spanish midfielder Pedro Ortiz, who is yet to make an appearance this year after sustaining an injury against Moreirense back in December.

French striker Samuel Essende came off with a game-ending injury just before half time against Arouca and the former Caen man is a major doubt for this weekend's encounter.

Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Germain man Juan Bernat has been sidelined since suffering a muscle injury back in October and the 30-year-old is out of contention for Benfica.

He is joined on the club's injury table by 23-year-old forward Casper Tengstedt, who is yet to make an appearance this year after suffering a thigh injury against AVS on December 21.

Cabral has scored in the last two matches and should retain his starting place at the top of attack on Thursday.

Vizela possible starting lineup:Buntic; Oliveira, Anderson, Goncalves, Escoval; Pereira, Silva, Mendez; Moreira, Soro, Ba-Sy

Benfica possible starting lineup:Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Neves, Kokcu; Di Maria, Silva, Mario; Cabral

We say: Vizela 0-2 Benfica

Vizela have struggled all season and are yet to face an opposition of Benfica's quality in this competition. The Eagles are in fine form and should extend their dominance against the Vizelenses on Thursday.

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