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Benfica will lock horns with reigning champions Braga to the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in the Taca da Liga semifinals on Wednesday. The two teams met in the Primeira Liga last week and Os Arcebispos recorded a 2-1 comeback win.
The capital club have seen a drop in form recently. Their 2-1 home loss in the Primeira Liga last week was their second consecutive defeat, having lost 1-0 to local rivals Sporting in their final match of 2024. They booked their place in the semifinals of the Taca da Liga with a 3-0 win over Santa Clara.
Os Arcebispos have been a bit inconsistent recently, with two wins, two losses, and two draws in their last six games. They overcame local rivals Vitoria Guimaraes in the previous round of the Taca da Liga, recording a 2-1 comeback win, thanks to goals from Sikou Niakate and Bruma.
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As Águias are the most successful team in the competition and were eliminated from the semifinals last season. Braga, meanwhile, lifted their third title last season.
Benfica vs Braga Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have squared off 134 times in competitive games. As expected, the capital club have been the dominant side in these meetings with 86 wins. The defending champions have 19 wins and 29 games have ended in draws.
- They have met four times in the Taca da Liga. Os Arcebispos have a narrow 2-1 lead in wins and one meeting has ended in a draw.
- Benfica have kept six clean sheets in their last 10 games across all competitions while failing to score twice.
- Braga have scored at least two goals in their last seven games in all competitions.
- Os Arcebispos have suffered one loss in their last nine games in the Taca da Liga while recording seven wins.
Benfica vs Braga Prediction
As Águias have suffered two consecutive defeats, scoring once, and will look to improve upon that record. They have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven games in the Taca da Liga.
Tiago Gouveia remains the only absentee for manager Bruno Lage, who is expected to field a strong starting XI in this match. Zeki Amdouni should get the nod to start ahead of Vangelis Pavlidis here. Ángel Di María is a key player and should retain his place in the starting XI.
Os Arcebispos recorded a 2-1 win over the capital club last week, which was their first win in this fixture after four consecutive defeats. Interestingly, their last three wins across all competitions have been registered in away games.
Sikou Niakate was subbed off in the first half with an injury and is likely to sit this one out. Paulo Oliveira is nursing an injury while Rodrigo Zalazar faces a late fitness test.
While Benfica suffered a narrow defeat to Braga last week, they have the upper hand in recent meetings against Os Arcebispos and, considering their better squad health, we back the capital club to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Braga
Benfica vs Braga Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Benfica to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Both teams to score - Yes
