Benfica host Estoril at home: Marco Silva names lineup as fans give Palhinha loudest ovation

Match context

After a two-week absence from domestic action — their matchday-three fixture against Moreirense was postponed due to fixture congestion from continental commitments — Benfica return to Primeira Liga duty on Monday, hosting Estoril Praia at Estadio da Luz. According to Sports Mole, kick-off is set for 22:15.

Marco Silva's side arrive in strong form: on Thursday, Benfica secured a 3-1 away win over AGF Aarhus, sealing Europa League qualification with a 6-2 aggregate result, and previously thrashed Casa Pia 7-0 in the league, with Vangelis Pavlidis scoring a hat-trick. Sports Mole notes Benfica have averaged four goals per game across their last eight matches in all competitions.

Estoril, by contrast, arrive on the back of consecutive defeats — 2-0 at Nacional followed by a 2-0 home loss to Rio Ave — and have gone 11 league matches without a win. In the table, Estoril sit 16th while Benfica are seventh.

Head-to-head dominance

Both Sports Mole and Sportsgambler report that Benfica have won nine of the last ten meetings between the sides, including two 3-1 victories last season. Sportsgambler's prediction favours Benfica to win by at least three goals, while Sports Mole goes further, forecasting a 4-1 scoreline in the hosts' favour.

Lineups

According to A Bola and Sportsgambler, Marco Silva kept the same starting eleven that began the match against Aarhus: Samuel Soares in goal; Bah, Tomas Araujo, Lenglet and Dahl in defence; Enzo Barrenechea and Leandro Barreiro in midfield; Rafa, Sudakov and Prestianni behind striker Pavlidis. Joao Palhinha is included in the squad but will start on the bench, with fans anticipating his debut appearance during the match.

Estoril's possible lineup, per Sports Mole and Sportsgambler, features Robles in goal, a defence of Sanchez, Ferro and Sierra, midfielders Xeka and Tsoungui, and an attacking trio of Carvalho, Lacximicant and Begraoui.

A moment for the fans

As reported by SAPO, when starting lineups were read out at Estadio da Luz before kick-off, Joao Palhinha received the loudest ovation of the night from Benfica supporters — even louder than the cheers for Pavlidis, Prestianni and Schjelderup, who were also warmly received. At full time, head coach Marco Silva was likewise applauded by fans in recognition of his and the team's work this season.