In a thrilling encounter at Stade of Lightthe Benfica prepares to face their formidable rivals Braga during the semi-finals of the League Cup this Wednesday. The clash marks the second time these clubs have met in a matter of days, following Braga’s surprising 2-1 victory over Benfica in the league last Saturday, which tarnished the hosts’ impeccable home record this season.
This match is loaded with stakes, as Braga look to defend the title they won last year. With this semi-final pitting four of Portugal’s elite clubs against each other, the competition promises to be intense and unpredictable.
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Following their recent victory, Braga will approach the match with a psychological advantage. The visitors managed to secure a victory at this ground, handing Benfica their first home defeat in the league after a run of eight consecutive victories. Under the guidance of the coach Bruno LageBenfica will aim to rectify their recent disappointment and aim for a place in the final, hoping to end a nearly decade-long wait for Taca da Liga glory.
Historically, the Eagles have enjoyed substantial success in this competition, winning titles in four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2016. However, since their last finals appearance in 2022, they have encountered some obstacles, including three eliminations in group stage, although this season’s revamped format has reduced the competition to just eight teams, giving Benfica a path back to success after overcoming Saint Clare in the quarter-final.
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For Braga, success in the Taca da Liga has been more common than league titles, with three wins since the competition’s inception in 2007, including their recent victory which adds to previous successes in 2013 and 2020.
Despite their league position, currently fourth and trailing the top three by a significant gap, Braga head into this match with confidence, having won their last six away games. The month of January promises to be busy for the team Carlos Carvalhalwho will navigate through six matches in various competitions, including both the domestic cups and the Ligue Europa.
Recent form:
- Benfica League Cup: V
- Benfica Global: N N V V D D
- Braga League Cup: V
- Braga Global : N D N V D V
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Benfica’s squad appears relatively intact with only Tiago Gouveia out, but rotation is expected from Lage as they juggle the title race with upcoming games Champions League. Although they fielded a largely strong team against Santa Clara, several starters, including Orkun Kokcu, Angel Di Mariaet Vangelis Pavlidiswere spared, indicating squad depth before the semi-final.
On the other hand, Braga faces defensive dilemmas with injury to Sikou Niakate and the absence of Paulo Oliveira et Yuri Ribeiro during their recent match. Accordingly, Robson Bambu will be thrust into a crucial role after scoring in the recent win over Benfica.
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Braga could opt for a more robust composition given the stakes, contrasting with Benfica’s recent squad rotation strategy.
Planned Alignments:
Benfica : Trubin; Bah, Tiago Araujo, Otamendi, Fernandez; Barreiro, Renato Sanches, Oursnes; Beste, Arthur Cabral, Akturkoglu.
Braga : Matthew; Victor Gomez, Robson Bambu, Paulo Oliveira, Marin; Vitor Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, Zalazar; Ricardo Horta, El Ouazzani, Bruma.
Looking at the recent form and performances of both teams, our prediction leans towards a 2-1 win for Benfica. Despite Braga’s excellent away record, the Eagles’ revival under Lage suggests they possess the edge needed to secure a place in the final.
For detailed analysis of score predictions and statistical overviews for this match, Click here.
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