Benfica - Rio Ave Game Preview

Benfica will get the second half of the season underway tonight when they host Rio Ave. Rio Ave is currently last on the table, and have struggled away from Vila do Conde. During the first half of the season they were only able to get two points as visitors, both of those two points coming from ties.
Last time Benfica played Rio Ave, in the first game of the season, the two teams tied, but a lot has changed at Benfica since then.


It seems quite a long time ago, Quim was in goal, Katsouranis was Luisao's partner in defense, and Leo was the indisputable left back. In the midfield Martins and Yebda were the two central players while Urreta and Amorim were on the flanks. Up front Cardozo was the obvious choice, as Suazo was not yet a reality for Benfica.

Here are the 18 Quique selected for the start of the first half:

Keepers: Moreira and Quim.

Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Sidnei, Jorge Ribeiro and David Luiz.

Midfielders: Rúben Amorim, Binya, Yebda, Carlos Martins, Aimar, Reyes, Balboa and Di Maria.

Forwards: Nuno Gomes, Cardozo and Mantorras.

After filling in for Moretto in last game's roster, due to the Brazilian's injury, Quim seems to have taken over the number two spot. In the defensive group, Sidnei returns to fill in for the suspended Miguel Vitor. In the midfield, Balboa also returns, still looking to prove that he was worth Quique's recommendation and the 5 mil Benfica paid for him. Katsouranis is suspended for 1 game as a result of comments he made towards the referee in the game against Nacional. The suspension was announced this week by the league's disciplinary counsel.
The biggest absence up front is Suazo who contracted an injury and was not able to recover in time for this game. In his absence, and with Makukula being gone, fan favorite Mantorras will fill in.

Here's the likely line up for tonight's game:

Moreira in goal. Maxi, Luisao, Sidnei and David Luiz in the back. Yebda should be one of the middle men, along Amorim. It would be the return of Amorim to the position he feels the most comfortable in. But i wouldn't discount Martins either.
In the flanks, Reyes will be put to the test after being spurred publicly by Quique. The other side should go to DiMaria. Up front, Benfica's top scorer, Oscar Cardozo, should be supported by Pablo Aimar.

Not a particularly tough game for Benfica on paper, but at this stage of the season, where only wins will do, and in the eve of important matches against direct rivals; Benfica needs to rise up against the pressure of the moment and take favorable momentum into the next game.
Luisao and Maxi are on the verge of their 5th yellow card, and will both be suspended if they pick up cards against Rio Ave, making them unavailable for the game against porto. Something to watch out for considering the "stellar" performances by the referess this season.

An important game for a lot of players if they are to get a shot at starting.
Both Sidnei and Reyes will look to show Quique thay they can be counted on and that they are focused on the team and nothing else. If Ruben Amorim starts in the middle, this is also an opportunity for Ruben to show that he can play in a position where he feels more comfortable in, a position that gives him more of a starring role on the team. Up front Cardozo, will also be looking to prove that he deserves to get more playing time. So, besides the regular motivation, there will be players that will have extra motivation for this game.
Let's hope the team can start the second half of the season the best way possible after losing the lead spot last week when they tied Belenenses.