Benfica will visit Pedreira this Sunday to take on Sp. Braga in a highly anticipated clash of the 16th round of the Liga, marking the final game of 2025. Both teams, led by coaches Carlos Vicens and José Mourinho, are in critical need of a victory in this matchup, which is set to kick off at 18:00 and will be officiated by referee João Gonçalves.
This match will be the first time Pedreira hosts one of the league’s giants this season. Notably, Sp. Braga has previously managed to secure points away from home against both Alvalade and Dragão, showcasing their competitive spirit.
As the action unfolds, you can follow the Sp. Braga-Benfica game live on Maisfutebol.
Carlos Vicens’s side currently sits in fifth place in the league standings. They faced a setback in their last outing, suffering a 0-1 defeat to Estoril. However, they bounced back midweek by securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the Taça de Portugal after a decisive 3-0 victory over Caldas in Torres Vedras. For the upcoming match, Vicens is expected to revert to his usual starting eleven, with likely returns for players such as Hornicek, Vítor Carvalho, Gorby, and João Moutinho. Meanwhile, Niakaté, El Ouazzani, and Jónatas Noro remain sidelined due to injuries.
On the other hand, Benfica is experiencing one of their strongest stretches this season, having achieved four consecutive victories, the most recent being a narrow 1-0 win against Famalicão at home. With three points behind Sporting and eight points from league leaders FC Porto, Mourinho’s squad is under pressure to win this “final” in order to stay in contention for the title as they head into the second half of the season.
The good news for Benfica is that they have yet to lose an away match this season, their only slip being a goalless draw at Dragão. In contrast, Sp. Braga has already suffered defeats at home to both Gil Vicente and Nacional.
A key concern for Benfica ahead of the match is the status of midfielder Leandro Barreiro. While Mourinho has been non-committal regarding Barreiro’s return, it is anticipated he may be integrated back into the squad, potentially replacing Prestianni. The team will also miss Samuel Soares, Bruma, Alexander Bah, and Lukebakio due to injuries.
Fans can look ahead to an intense match, with both teams eager to solidify their positions in the league standings.