Superliga Weekend Preview
Superliga started yesterday night with an important away win for V. Guimarães agains Alverca.
League leaders FC Porto will rest some of their key players ahead of Saturday's match in Gil Vicente. Porto's president Pinto Da Costa was upset that National Team manager Scolari used Costinha for the entire 90 minutes against Italy on Wednesday. With Porto's crucial Champions League match with Lyon looming this week, don't expect to see Costinha in the starting lineup.
Look for Deco and Ricardo Carvalho to possibly see limited action as well, especially if Porto grab the lead early on. Jorge Costa, Pedro Mendes and Marco Ferreira are back for Porto while Sergio Conceicao is still out with injury.
Second place Sporting Lisbon visit Braga on Sunday in what will be a serious test for Fernando Santos' squad. Braga sit in fourth place and are eyeing a UEFA Cup berth for next season, they would be doing Benfica a huge favour by winning this weekend.
Rui Jorge, Pedro Barbosa and Fabio Rochemback are listed as doubtful and will be evaluated Sunday morning.
Benfica are looking to gain some ground on second placed Sporting but to do so, they will need a win away to Rio Ave.
Benfica could be without Croatian striker Tomo Sokota, Tiago and Petit for this match as all three are suffering from minor injuries and fatigue.
Elsewhere in Portugal, Nacional are one point back of Braga in the race for a UEFA Cup berth, they are away to Moreirense on Sunday.
Boavista are eyeing an easy three points when they host last placed Estrela Amadora on Saturday.
The slumping Beira Mar, who are without their starting and back up keepers through injury, entertains Académica on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Pacos Ferreira welcomes Leiria, while Marítimo hosts Belenenses to round out this week's action on Monday.
Source: Soccerage
