Leixoes - Benfica Preview

After an unforgettable European night, it's time to get back to business in the Liga Sagres. Benfica will travel to the north of Portugal to face Leixoes.
Leixoes is currently in currently 5th place, having won 3 games and lost only one to Nacional. Benfica who is currently 6th, can take the share of first place with a win, leap frogging Sporting and matching up porto in points.
Leixoes can take sole possession of first place with a win at home. A very important game for both teams without a doubt.


Here's the game roster for this Monday's clash.

Keepers: Moreira and Quim.

Defenders: Luisão, Leo, Jorge Ribeiro, Sidnei and Miguel Vítor.

Midfielders: Yebda, Katsouranis, Ruben Amorim, Binya and Carlos Martins.

Forwards: Reyes, Cardozo, Urreta, Makukula, Di María, Nuno Gomes.

Maxi will not be available for this match, as he has been called up by his national team, and has been ordered to report to camp on Tuesday. Benfica tried to reach an agreement with the Uruguayan FA, but was not successful.
Aimar, who has been training without limitations, is still not in the best of conditions, and will also not be available to Quique, as Quique much rather have a player healthy in the long term. Balboa has been left out by option.
Cardozo and Makukula will make their return to the game roster, after missing out on the UEFA game. Makukula was not signed for the UEFA competition, and Cardozo served the last game of his 3 game ban.

Here's my projected lineup:

Another forced change to the back four; with Maxi not being available, Miguel Vitor seems the likeliest candidate to the position. Another option would be Amorim at right back, which would free up a midfield spot for Martins, but considering how Amorim has been playing, it's unlikely.
In the midfield, Yebda and Katsouranis seem to have cemented themselves as the central midfield tandem. Benfica's man of the hour,Reyes, will be back on the left, while Amorim will most likely be on the right of the midfield, if he does not play in the back. Nuno Gomes will support Cardozo up front.

If the game against Napoli called for a high level of concentration due to what was at stake, the Leixoes game is equally important for Benfica. Not only because, with a win, Benfica will ascend to the top of the table, but because it's the logical evolution of the team, and the result of the team's work.
How many times did we see Benfica come off a big result, only to fall on their faces in the following week, just this past season? Too many to remember.
Despite the results against Sporting and Napoli being great results, a bad result against Leixoes, will quickly overshadow those two others.

Expect the team to come out strong, and take control early in the game. The levels of confidence are high, and Quique has definetely prepared the players for the sensitivity of this match.
As Quique as shown, all players are treated equally, there are no owners of positions, and Quique will not hesitate to bench a player who he doesn't feel fits in the scheme of things.
There will be no tolerance for overestimating this Leixoes team, or for less than 110% from the players. Certainly there will be no player out on the field with lack of motivation.

Tough game, but with hard work and a consistent performance Benfica should finish out the day in first place.