Benfica and Rio Ave measure forces at Estadio do Sport Lisboa and Benfica (da Luz), in a match for this phase of Taça de Portugal (Quarter-finals). The history of direct confrontations played in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 6 games won 6. Indeed, the last time these two teams played a game in this stadium, on 02-11-2019, to First League, Benfica won by (2‑0). Rúben Dias (31 ‘) and Pizzi (51’) scored Benfica’s goals. Rio Ave presents considerable differences in its results at home and as a visitor, so in this match the home factor may be decisive.
Benfica:
The home team reaches this stage of Taça de Portugal (Quarter-finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Sporting Braga, Vizela and Cova Piedade. This is a team that presents similar results at home and abroad, so it is not usually affected by the home factor, since in the last 30 games it records 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses as a visitor; against 12 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in his stadium. In the last game he played, for the Premier League, he won the Homeless Bird at home by (2‑1). In their last 10 home games Benfica records 9 wins and 1 draw. His attack has scored regularly, as he scored at least one goal in each of the last 10 games. In 15 games, he got the comeback in 4 of the 6 games in which he suffered the first goal.
Benfica comes to this motivated match, after a 2×1 victory against Aves, thus adding the second consecutive victory, both for the Portuguese championship: the team’s goals were scored by André Almeida and Pizzi. In the previous rounds of the Portuguese Cup, Benfica eliminated Cova Piedade, Vizela and Braga. In this match against Rio Ave, coach Bruno Lage is expected to favor the maintenance of the ball and leisurely attacks. In addition, Benfica must use the flanks to create danger to his opponent: Franco Cervi is a very fast player and expert in transporting the ball. Out of this game is Rafa Silva, due to physical problems.
Rio Ave:
The visiting team reaches this phase of Taça de Portugal (Quarter-finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Marinhense, Alverca and Condeixa. This is a team that curiously has been stronger outside than at home, since in the last 30 games it records 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses as a visitor; against 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in his stadium. In the last match he played, for the First League, he won against Santa Clara by (0-1). In its last 10 away matches, Rio Ave has 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. In 12 games, he never got the comeback in the 5 games in which he suffered the first goal.
Rio Ave comes for this match after a 0-1 away victory against Santa Clara, returning to the wins after two consecutive defeats in official matches: the team’s only goal was signed by Lucas Piazón. To reach this stage of the Portuguese Cup, visitors beat Condeixa, Alverca and Marinhense. Coach Carlos Carvalhal must keep the usual 4-3-3, used in the last game, being Diego Lopes, Nuno Santos and Mehdi Taremi the offensive references of the visiting team: the first athlete named is the top scorer of Rio Ave, with 7 goals scored. Absences for this game: Jambor and Cassama, both injured.
