Key games
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Benfica vs Vitória Guimarães at 14:00 ET/18:00 GMT
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Porto vs Santa Clara at 16:00 ET/20:00 GMT
Preview
Round three of the Taca da Liga kicks off for Benfica in this clash Vitória Guimarães. Being one of the four top-ranked teams from the Primeira Liga, the Eagles booked their ticket into Group B alongside three second-round winners.
Only the top-ranked team in this group will move on to the knockout stage and given Benfica’s opponents, they are the favorites to claim that spot. Nonetheless, nothing is guaranteed for Bruno Lage’s men and they must commence their campaign on a good note.
The reigning Primeira Liga champions have begun their Portuguese top-flight title defense well, winning five of their first six games and conceding only three goals but they sit in the second spot and have lost twice in their last five games in all competitions. One of those defeats came in their Champions League opener against RB Leipzig while the other came against Porto.
Speaking of Porto, they will embark on their Taca da Liga campaign today as well, albeit two hours after their bitter rivals. The Dragon will take on Santa Clara at 16:00 ET/20:00 GMT. While Benfica will have to battle it out with two top-flight teams, one ranked sixth and the other ranked 11th, only one team in Porto’s group are in the top-flight and that’s ninth-placed Santa Clara. The other two teams are from LigaPro.
Sérgio Conceição’s side’s form is almost identical to Benfica’s. They do boast 15 points in the Primeira Liga, losing once and winning all their other games so far. Their only other competitive defeat this season was in the Champions League playoff, losing to Krasnodar on away goals and thus being demoted to the Europa League.
Who’s injured for Benfica and Porto?
Benfica
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Florentino Luís (knee)
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Carlos Vinícius (thigh)
Porto
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Sérgio Oliveira (doubt; sprained ankle)
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Fabiano (doubt; ribs)
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Marius Mouandilmadji (doubt; unknown)
Are there other Taca da Liga games to watch today and tomorrow?
Yes, there are. Below are the other Taca da Liga games to watch on Wednesday and Thursday:
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Gil Vicente vs Portimonense at 12:00 ET/16:00 GMT on Wednesday, September 25, 2019
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Sporting CP vs Rio Ave at 15:00 ET/19:00 GMT on Thursday, September 26, 2019
TV channels and streaming broadcasts for Benfica vs Vitória Guimarães and Porto vs Santa Clara
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Benfica 0 - 0 Vitória Guimarães
September 25, 2019 2:00pmEstádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) (Lisboa)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
International Coverage:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
