Benfica Faces Braga in Taca da Liga Semifinal Clash

Benfica and Braga will face off in the Taca da Liga semifinals on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa. The match comes just a week after Braga secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica in the Primeira Liga, adding extra intrigue to this high-stakes encounter.

Benfica, the most successful team in Taca da Liga history, has struggled recently, suffering back-to-back defeats in the Primeira Liga. Their 2-1 loss to Braga last week was followed by a 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon. Despite this dip in form, Benfica advanced to the semifinals with a convincing 3-0 win over Santa Clara.

Braga, the reigning Taca da Liga champions, have been inconsistent in their recent performances, with two wins, two losses, and two draws in their last six matches. They edged past Vitoria Guimaraes in the previous round with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Sikou Niakate and Bruma.

Benfica manager Bruno Lage will be without Tiago Gouveia due to injury, but he is expected to field a strong lineup, with Zeki Amdouni likely starting ahead of Vangelis Pavlidis. Braga, meanwhile, faces injury concerns, with Sikou Niakate likely sidelined after being substituted early in their last match. Paulo Oliveira is also nursing an injury, and Rodrigo Zalazar’s availability remains uncertain.

Historically, Benfica has dominated this fixture, winning four of their last five encounters. However, Braga’s recent victory has given them a psychological edge. Both teams are known for their attacking prowess, with Benfica scoring at least two goals in five of their last seven Taca da Liga matches.

Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Braga. Tip 1: Result – Benfica to win. Tip 2: Goals – Over 2.5 goals. Tip 3: At least one goal in the second half. Tip 4: Both teams to score.