Benfica welcomes the “cursed” opponent with fourth place at stake

Aguias has not beaten OC Barcelos in more than two years; Sporting also faces a tough test of leadership

Not Porto, not Sporting, not even Oliverense. The opponent that Benfica has been unable to overcome for the longest time is the team that visits Luz on Saturday, with the possibility of snatching fourth place from the national champions, in the 11th round of the tournament (5pm).

For more than two years, the Eagles didn’t know what it was like to beat OC Barcelos. Last season, which culminated in Benfica’s return to the top of national hockey, Barcelona was victorious in both matches, winning at home (3-2) and in Lisbon (5-2). In the previous season, they tied with Barcelos, and the Reds’ last victory was in October 2021.

Now the team led by Paulo Freitas reaches this round after a series of seven matches without losing and with the possibility of overcoming Nuno Resende’s team, as a new victory allows Minho’s team to surpass Benfica.

However, the Eagles, especially after the skid that resulted in an away defeat to Reba Def, have no margin for error and need to win to avoid allowing their direct rivals to escape further in the title tussle. Moreover, in five days’ time, there will be another derby with Sporting, this time in the Champions League, and all confidence is welcome.

SC Tomar tests the leader

With the same 20 points as OC Barcelos, SC Tomar also travels to the Segunda League to face leaders Sporting (3pm), in another match between the champion teams.

With the historic victory over the Lions in the Portuguese Cup final still fresh in their memories, Nabantino’s team will seek to do what they have never been able to do before: defeat Alvalade in tournament matches.

We have a team that has only lost to Benfica (Elite Cup) and Porto (Championship) this season, and behind whom stands the surprising Uliverense team in the struggle for leadership.

Oliveira de Azimes’ side, it must be said, host Torquel (6pm) and are watching for any misstep by the Lions that would allow them to isolate themselves at the top.

FC Porto, who complete the podium with just one point less than the leading duo, play at the Dragao Arena with Riba de Ave (6pm) and should be on alert because of what the penultimate team did just two weeks ago when they beat Benfica.