Benfica vs Moreirense Preview

Topics: Benfica, Moreirense, Portuguese League, Jorge Jesus, Augusto Inacio, Nemanja Matic

Can Benfica's streak of misfortune come to an end on Sunday, or will they have to watch their rivals celebrate yet another Portuguese League title?

Three negative results in all competitions has Benfica on the verge of throwing away a second title in a week. With one point separating them from the top spot in the Portuguese League, the Águias will not only need to win their match, but they will also need a positive result at the Mata Real Stadium.

Needing the full three points at home against Moreirense is a given for the Benfica players, but what is not a given is the actual victory.

The last two league matches for the Lisbon side have not been all that impressive, although the final result may not tell the full story of the match.

Benfica's home draw against Estoril had Benfica fans on the verge of a nervous breakdown, knowing that they now saw their four point lead cut to two. A last minute defeat at the hands of Porto quickly turned the tables, and now Jorge Jesus' side is left in second place, one point back, with one match remaining.

Taking on Moreirense will not be all that easy considering Augusto Inacio's side is fighting to stay in the Portuguese top flight. Os Verde e Brancos are in a relegation battle along with four other clubs, with even a point potentially being enough to save them, depending on how the other matches play out.

"We are going to try and score," Inacio told reporters. "The more we defend and drop into our midfield, the more probable it will be that we do not get a shot off in the full 90 minutes. If we end up being a very defensive minded team, it is because Benfica has forced us to do so."

The Portuguese manager knows very well that he may need some help from other results around the league.

"Sometimes managers are liars when they say that they are not worried with the results in other matches. Both Benfica and Moreirense will be very attentive to the other matches going on. We will have our ears in other stadiums," he added, while also stating that he has no interest in the other potential title match between Paços de Ferreira and Porto. "That is Benfica's problem."

Bouncing back from another last minute defeat, this time in Amsterdam against Chelsea, Jorge Jesus' side knows that the Estádio da Luz will be packed to capacity for this match. With the possibility of claiming the league title, the Benfica fans will want to show their appreciation for the team either way.

Nemanja Matic has been one of Benfica's stand out performers this season, and his belief in the league title is still intact.

"The title is not lost yet," the Serbian told Sportal. "There is one match remaining and Porto has a difficult match away to Paços de Ferreira, with only one point separating us from the top spot."

Being able to take care of business first will be Benfica's main priority. Unable to control what happens in the other match is something they should not worry about, but the fans and coaches in the stadium will definitely be listening in.

Moreirense's record away from home leaves them in a tough spot for Sunday. Perhaps the fact that they have only been defeated on two occasions at the Estádio da Luz is a plus, although their last two matches in Lisbon have been 2-0 defeats.

With one win in their last six matches, the visitors will have to overcome a frustrated, yet determined Benfica side who is looking to take their anger out on someone.

Dropping points in two of your final three league matches is never good. On Sunday, we should expect the hosts to come out hungry and ready to send a message. Whether that message and performance will bring them another title remains to be seen, but Jorge Jesus' side should be able to defeat Moreirense, even if it is by the minimum margin.