Benfica - Naval Preview

Benfica will celebrate Estadio da Luz's 5th anniversary today during their game against Naval. After tying Hertha mid-week, Benfica will now turn their attention to the Liga Sagres where they can leapfrog porto in the table and take over 2nd place provisionally with a win over Naval. Naval comes into this game 8th with 8 points and still looking for their first away win. Benfica will look to increase their 1 win tally at home and double up their tie total at home.


Be aware the Europe has set their clocks back. The game is at 7pm local time, see the clock on the sidebar for the exact time in Lisbon right now.

For this game Quique has called the following players.

Keepers: Quim and Moreira;
Defenders: Luisão, Léo, Sidnei, Maxi Pereira, Jorge Ribeiro.
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Ruben Amorim, Binya, Carlos Martins, Yebda.
Forwards: Reyes, Cardozo, Makukula, Di Maria, Nuno Gomes and Suazo.

Amorim returns after not being able to give his contribute to the team in Germany. Yebda seem to be recuperated from the injury that prevented him from playing in Berlin. Makukula is once again part of Quique's options, the same can't be said for Balboa and Urreta who will watch the game from the stands. Aimar continues to be absent and still recovering from his injury.

Projected 11

Nothing new in the back. The midfield should most likely be the one that Quique had chosen for Berlin, with Yebda and Katsouranis in the middle, DiMaria and Reyes on the flanks. Although i wouldn't write off Marins on the right. Quique as always found a way to change things around. Up front, Suazo should make his starting debut supporting Cardozo. Nuno Gomes is also an option for the front line but i think Quique's decision will fall on Suazo and Cardozo.

A very important game for Benfica. Not only because it's a birthday for the stadium, but also because Benfica would take a very important step on the table. It's also important for Benfica to build up on their past outings. A tie against Leixoes, an embarrassing close game against a 3rd flight Penafiel, and a tie in Berlin, need to be build on with a win, if the team is to remain free of the first questions by the pundits.