Benfica started the week at the top of the Portuguese League, but after a dissapointing result on Wednesday and a victory for Guimarães on Friday, the reigning champions have had a rough few days. A visit to Coimbra may offer the Lisbon side a chance to go top of the table once again, against an Academica side that has struggled mightely this season.
Jorge Jesus knew that losing mid-week against Zenit was not an option, but for some odd reason, the Portuguese manager has not been able to have great success with the encarnados in the Champions League.
After their 1-0 defeat against Andre Villas-Boas and Portuguese international Danny who scored the only goal in the match, Benfica saw their European Football dreams come to an end. They will now have to watch both the Champions League and Europa League from the outside, but club President Luis Filipe Vieira has called on his players to focus on winning the domestic league for a second successive year.
Having won four of their last five meetings with Academica will give the visitors a boost of confidence. Also knowing that they've fallen into second place, one point back of Guimarães should also give them an extra boost.
This match will bring together the best offense in the league and one of the worst offenses.
Academica has just eight points this season, with their only victory coming away to Arouca, who are one point ahead of the estudantes. Along with those eight points have been seven goals scored and 12 conceded, which will be a concern heading into today's fixture.
Paulo Sérgio's men will want to try and take advantage of a Benfica side that is rattled from their elimination from Europe, but they will also know that they will need to be at their absolute best to get a result.
The encarnados may have been dealt a blow mid-week, but they have more than enough weapons to come away from Coimbra with the three points. Fans will expect a bounce back performance from the players, who will now try to claim a second successive Portuguese League title, which the club hasn't managed to do in just about 30 years.
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