Everton - Benfica Game Preview

Two weeks after the convincing 5-0 win over Everton in Lisbon, it is now Benfica's turn to be the away team at Everton's Goodison Park. Both teams come into this game with the same amount of points, but Benfica holds the advantage on goal differential. Everton is riding an impressive 9 home game unbeaten streak, while Benfica has failed to get a win in their last 7 away games in European competition.


For the trip to England, JJ called on 20 players:

Keepers: Quim, Moreira and Júlio César;

Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Sidnei, David Luiz, Luisão and Shaffer;

Midfielders: Javi Garcia, Ramires, Ruben Amorim, Fábio Coentrão, Di María, Felipe Menezes and Pablo Aimar;

Forwards: Nuno Gomes, Weldon, Saviola, Cardozo and Keirrison.

2 players will watch the game from the stands, one of them obviously being one of the goalies.

Julio Cesar should keep his starting job in Europe, while the rest of the team will most likely undergo a couple changes.
In defense, Maxi will be at right back while David Luiz should most likely drift over to the left back position, giving Sidnei his spot next to Luisao.
In the midfield, Javi Garcia, DiMaria and Ramires should also start while Aimar will most likely be given a rest according to media reports. Coentrao should be the fill in, while the central midfield position will most likely go to Ramires.
Up front, Cardozo and Saviola will complete the starting 11. This is the starting 11 the media has been projecting.

While a loss would not compromise any chances to advance into the second round, a win would virtually open up the door into the next stage of the competition. Nevertheless, Benfica needs to have a serious approach to this game and can not play submissive to an Everton who will be looking for some redemption after the 5-0 humiliating defeat at Estadio da Luz 2 weeks ago.

I believe a win is very much at our reach, and it'd prevent us from going into Belarus with the need of coming away with points.
A tie would not be a bad result either, but when you come to England looking for a tie, you run the risk of ending up on the losing end of the stick.
A win would not only put us with a foot into the next round, it would also prove that the result of 2 weeks ago was not a mere coincidence, a lucky performance where everything went our way.
A win would solidify our this team's value and project us as a serious candidate to go far into this competition.

I don't believe JJ will let the team approach the game with a lax attitude, we need this win, and there's no way we should go into Goodison Park with anything but the winning mentality we have had all season.