Liga Betclic: Benfica-Moreirense X-ray

Between European fixtures against Marseille, in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, Benfica host Moreirense this Sunday, April 14, at 8:30 pm, on matchday 29 of the Liga Betclic. A chance for the Eagles, at the Cathedral, to start another winning streak in the competition, with six games to go.

Moreirense is one of the surprises of this edition of the league, occupying 6th place with 43 points, 21 of them on the road. Benfica, at the Estádio da Luz, has respectable credentials, having won 12 of its 14 games, in which it hasn't lost, and has the best defense in the league as a visitor, with six goals conceded.

The Moreira de Cónegos side were beaten in their last two outings, at Boavista (1-0) and Vitória SC (1-0), while the Eagles were beaten in the league at their home stadium, are on a run of eight consecutive wins, having beaten Famalicão (3-0), Rio Ave (4-1), Boavista (2-0), Gil Vicente (3-0), Vizela (6-1), Portimonense (4-0), Estoril (3-1) and Chaves (1-0). In fact, in the current calendar year of 2024, Benfica has won every league match played at home.

This will be the 34th clash between Benfica and Moreirense. The Reds have won 23 games (70%) and drawn eight (24%), in all competitions. In the National Championship, the two clubs have met on 25 occasions, with the Eagles coming out on top in 18 games (72%), drawing six (24%). Playing as visitors, Benfica has won nine (64%) of the 14 clashes and drawn four (29%).

Before the start of matchday 29, Benfica, compared to Moreirense, is the team with the most shots in the competition (447 against 300), the one with the most one-on-one and dribbling actions (928 against 692), the third with the most crosses (503 against 370) and the second with the most corner kicks taken every 90 minutes (6.62 against 4.06). The statistics come from the Wyscout platform.

As the team with the most shots in the competition, Benfica is also the team with the best percentage of shots on target (42.3% against 27%), the opposite of Moreirense. The Minhotos are particularly fond of shots from outside the penalty area (150), a position from which half of the team's total shots came. This places Moreirense as the 6th team with the most shots from outside the penalty area, while Benfica are in 2nd place (156).

Benfica's dominance in the passing department continues to be clear, as they remain the team with the most passes (15,293 against 10,469) and the most accurate passes (86.7% against 82.3%). In terms of possession, the Reds have an average of 58.1% per game, compared to 45.4% for the Cónegos.

Benfica has the second-best defense in the league (23 goals conceded), while Moreirense has the fifth-best record (30 goals conceded).

Looking at the individual aspects, Rafa is the player with the most assists in the league (11), with Neres (8) and Di María (8) in 3rd and 4th place. João Camacho (5) has the most assists among the Minho players. Rafa is also Benfica's top scorer in the competition (12 goals), while André Luís has the same status at Moreirense, with 6 goals.

Di María is the player with the most crosses so far (136) and the 5th most one-on-ones and dribbles (157). Returning to Rafa, the No. 27 has the most touches in the opposing penalty area (149).

On matchday 28 of the Liga Betclic, coach Roger Schmidt fielded the following eleven: Trubin, Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes, Florentino, João Neves, Di María, Neres, Rafa and Tengstedt. Otamendi and Aursnes won't be available for the clash with the Minhotos as they have to serve a game suspension.

In the home draw against Estrela da Amadora (2-2), in the last round of the competition, coach Rui Borges lined up Moreirense in a 4x2x3x1 formation, with: Kewin Silva, Fabiano, Carlos Ponck, Maracás, Frimpong, Rúben Ismael, André Castro, João Camacho, Gonçalo Franco, Kodisang and Vinícius.