Maritimo - Benfica Preview

Benfica will travel to Madeira this weekend hoping to get back on the winning track. After an embarrassing loss in Greece, and a home tie against Setubal, which prevented the team from being league leaders, Benfica will now try to win in a traditionally tough field, if they are to keep pace with the front pack.
Maritimo is currently 4th in the Liga Sagres and they have not lost in their last 7 games, they have the best defense in the league, having allowed only 5 goals in 10 matches. In contrast, Benfica has allowed double of what Maritimo has allowed, but come into this game with the best attack of the league with 18 goals. A game that promises to be a tough game, where Maritimo is looking to get their first win against Benfica since the 01/02 season, precisely 13 games ago.

For the trip to the island, Quique has called the following players:

Keepers: Moretto and Moreira;

Defenders: Luisão, Maxi, Miguel Vítor, David Luiz and Sidnei;

Midfielders: Reyes, Balboa, Katsouranis, Aimar, Ruben Amorim, Binya, Yebda and Urreta;

Forwards: Cardozo, Suazo and Nuno Gomes.

The biggest news story of this game roster has to be the exclusion of Quim. After giving up an embarrassing goal that prevented Benfica from ascending to first place, there was much speculation throughout the week as to Quim's continuity as a starter in Benfica's nets. Quique has gone a step further, then benching Quim, keeping him out of the game roster altogether. This action does not mean that Quim has all of the sudden become Quique's third choice, but certainly an attempt of Quique to give Quim time to reflect about his current form. The skills didn't all of the sudden dissappear, but mentally, Quim is far from what he has gotten us used to.
In the defense, Jorge Ribeiro will not be able to give his contribute as he is currently debilitated by a leg muscle pull. In the midfield, it's the return of Binya and Aimar. Yebda who suffered an ankle sprain mid-week, seems to have recuperated to make the roster sheet, although it's still unknown whether he is at 100% or if he has limitations.
Martins who did specific recuperation work all week, joins DiMaria in the list of unavailable. Nuno Gomes returns to the game roster, after sitting out with an injury against Setubal.

Quique should field an 11 close to this:
Moreira in goal. Maxi, Luisao, Sidnei and David Luiz in the back. The middle four are the big variables for this game, Yebda and Binya are both coming off injuries, and their inclusion will rely on how well they have recuperated. If you recall Yebda didn't even start against Setubal, and he was 100% then. There's also the possibility that Amorim drifts to the middle giving way to either Balboa or Urreta on the right, Reyes will be on the left.
Up front, Aimar should return alongside Suazo, if Quique and Aimar feel he is ready to go. Aimar could also play in the midfield, giving way to either Cardozo or Nuno Gomes alongside Suazo.

Very important game for Benfica, who will need to get back on the winning track to remain in the fight. Despite still being early in the season, Benfica can't afford to lose ground, but most importantly, the team comes off two negative results, and is on the verge of saying goodbye to European competition, a bad result this weekend could put the team in a questionable position in front of their fans, and perhaps a fragile moment of confidence.