Benfica face Alverca at the Luz in the 10th round of the Primeira Liga, with kickoff scheduled for 20:15. The hosts are looking for their sixth successive victory in all competitions after wins over Vitória de Guimarães, Celtic, Omonia, Santa Clara and Gil Vicente.
Lukebakio remains in Benfica’s starting lineup, with Prestianni and Schjelderup also selected together in attack alongside Pavlidis. Samuel Soares starts in goal, while Alexander Bah, Lenglet, Tomás Araújo and Samuel Dahl form the defensive line. Fredrik Aursnes and João Palhinha are selected in midfield.
Benfica begin the match second in the Primeira Liga, eight points behind leaders FC Porto and one point ahead of Sporting and Santa Clara. All three of those teams have already won in this round. Alverca are 10th, three points behind Moreirense and one point ahead of Famalicão and Estrela da Amadora.
Alverca arrive after consecutive defeats to Tondela in the Portuguese Cup and Arouca in the league. Before those losses, Sérgio Ferreira’s side had beaten Nacional, Rio Ave and Famalicão.
The teams also met twice last season. Benfica won 2-1 in Alverca in August, before recording another 2-1 victory at the Luz in February.
Benfica lineup: Samuel Soares; Alexander Bah, Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, Samuel Dahl; Fredrik Aursnes, João Palhinha; Lukebakio, Schjelderup, Prestianni; Pavlidis.
Alverca lineup: Matheus Mendes; Nabil Touaizi, Yaya Bojang, Sergi Gómez, Isaac James, Francisco Chissumba; Davy Gui, Ian Luccas, Chiquinho, Dawda Camara; Figueiredo.
Benfica are also marking the 141st anniversary of the birth of club founder Cosme Damião.
Sources: Observador.