2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
When is Benfica vs Estrela Amadora on and what time does it start? Benfica vs Estrela Amadora will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Benfica vs Estrela Amadora? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Benfica vs Estrela Amadora on in the UK?Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Benfica vs Estrela Amadora in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
BENFICA
Last season, Benfica were exceptional as they regained the Portuguese Primeira Liga title. Up until mid-April, they had been outrageously impressive but a UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat to eventual runners’ up Internazionale and some stumbling in the league did cause a bit of irritation but they eventually did hold on to top spot, under the management of former PSV Eindhoven boss Roger Schmidt.
Benfica have added some excellent players to their squad and, as is their want and model lost key men such as Goncalo Ramos, but the addition of Angel Di Maria is ridiculous relative to the level of the Primeira Liga. They won the super cup against Porto about ten days ago but then suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Boavista in absolutely crazy game where Benfica led after 89 minutes but conceded a 103 minute winner.
ESTRELA AMADORA
Estrela da Amadora’s history is a very short one. Initially founded in 1932 and then again in 2011 but going bankrupt twice, ‘The Tricolours’ were re-established three years ago following a merger between Clube Desportivo Estrela and Club Sintra Football. They gained two promotions in three seasons and now find themselves in the top-flight.
The visitors began their 2023/24 Primeira Liga campaign, with former Moreirense, Famalicao and Farense boss Sergio Vieira in the dugout, with a respectable 1-0 loss at home to a Vitoria side that finished sixth and qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season – especially when considering that Estrela went down to ten men after just 20 minutes of the match.
THE TEAM NEWS
BENFICA
Roger Schmidt may well have a squad too big for his own good. The German coach is used to working with a smaller group of players that can play a sophisticated and intense style of football. There may be some changes for this game as they seek to overcome last week’s defeat. Petar Musa is unavailable after his red card against Boavista.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Bah, A.Silva, Otamendi, Ristic; Neves, Kokcu; Di Maria, R.Silva, Joao Mario; Neres
UNAVAILABLE: Musa (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
ESTRELA AMADORA
Sergio Vieira prefers a 3-4-3 system in the style of many Portuguese coaches with a fair emphasis on reactionary and defensive football. He is unable to name an entirely unchanged side due to Marcos Lopes’ red card last week but is unlikely to many, if any, other changes.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Bruno; Gaspar, Hevertton, Mansur; Jean Felipe, Aloisio, Vito, Reis; N’do, Tavares, Ronald
UNAVAILABLE: Lopes (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Despite the remarkable story and rise of Estrela da Amadora, this one could be the cynical crashing down to earth as they travel to the reigning champions who may well be feeling a little bit annoyed after their loss at Boavista last weekend. They will be out to put things straight and we could see a very fluid and attacking line-up named for Angel Di Maria’s ‘homecoming’ with Joao Mario and David Neres potentially coming into the side. A comfortable and probably heavy home win is expected in Lisbon.
TIP: BENFICA TO WIN -2 HANDICAP
