Montalegre and Benfica meet in Estádio Dr. Diogo Alves Vaz Pereira, in a match for this phase of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since the Montalegre presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Montalegre:
The home team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous heats with: Águeda, Oriental Lisboa, Peniche and Pedras Salgadas. This is a team that, oddly enough, has had better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the II Divisao, they won the Felgueiras 1932 by (0-1). Montalegre has won 3, tied 3 and lost 4 of the last 10 home matches. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 3 of the last 4 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 4 matches for this competition.
The Montalegre comes to this game with a victory, by 0-1, in the displacement to the arena of the Felgueiras, in a game to count for the National Championship of Seniors. To reach this stage of the Portuguese Cup, he eliminated Pedras Salgadas, Peniche, Oriental and Águeda. In this game against the powerful Benfica, one of the best Portuguese teams, coach José Manuel Viage must continue to take risks in the usual tactical system, that is, 4-3-3, with Amadu Turé being the most advanced player of the team: Player is the best score of Montalegre, with 5 goals scored. There are no absences of weight for this game.
Benfica:
The visiting team reaches this stage of the Taça de Portugal (8th Finals) after having played previous qualifiers with: Arouca and Sertanense. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches he has 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses as a visitor. against 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the Primeira Liga, they beat Marítimo by (0-1). In the last 10 away matches Benfica has won 6, tied 1 and lost 3. His attack has scored regularly, as he scored at least one goal in each of the last 10 games. In 12 games, he suffered the first goal 5 times, but got the comeback in 2.
The Benfica comes to this game motivated, after the victory, by 0-1, in the displacement to the stadium of the Maritime: Jonas marked the only goal of the team, of penalty. In the previous round, the visitors beat Arouca, 2-1. In this game away from home coach Rui Vitória should play in the usual 4-3-3, with Seferovic being the most offensive reference of the team, which should replace the usual forward, Jonas. On the other hand, the prodigy João Félix will be the great master of the team and is very competent in creating the offensive process. Without great surprises, visitors should take the offensive initiative of the game. For this match the Benfica coach will not be able to count on the injured Salvio and Rafa Silva.
PREDICTION: Over 3.5 goals @ 1.68
