Benfica will aim to finish 2011 on a high as the Lisbon club host Rio Ave in the Liga ZON Sagres in their last game before the Christmas break.
The Eagles have not been performing at their best of late, but have been picking up the results to keep them joint top of the league, alongside FC Porto.
The last-gasp victory at high-flying Marítimo in the last round was the sort of win one usually associates with championship winning sides, and with Porto to visit the Luz in the second half of the season, Benfica will feel they are handily placed to repeat their 2009/10 triumph.
But first the Eagles must make sure there is no hiccup against struggling Rio Ave. Only two teams separate Carlos Brito's team from the bottom of the table, but 4 wins in their last 7 matches suggests Rio Ave are starting to find some form after a nightmare start to the season.
"Championships are won through consistency. What's important is that Benfica have started well, and we are on the same number of points as FC Porto. We have to take it one game at a time and make sure we are in better form than our opponents," said Benfica boss Jorge Jesus.
Benfica have been boosted by the news that both captain Luisão and midfielder Nico Gaitán are back in the squad after missing recent games through injury.
Kick off at the Estádio da Luz on Friday 16th December at 8.15pm local time.
The last-gasp victory at high-flying Marítimo in the last round was the sort of win one usually associates with championship winning sides, and with Porto to visit the Luz in the second half of the season, Benfica will feel they are handily placed to repeat their 2009/10 triumph.
But first the Eagles must make sure there is no hiccup against struggling Rio Ave. Only two teams separate Carlos Brito's team from the bottom of the table, but 4 wins in their last 7 matches suggests Rio Ave are starting to find some form after a nightmare start to the season.
"Championships are won through consistency. What's important is that Benfica have started well, and we are on the same number of points as FC Porto. We have to take it one game at a time and make sure we are in better form than our opponents," said Benfica boss Jorge Jesus.
Benfica have been boosted by the news that both captain Luisão and midfielder Nico Gaitán are back in the squad after missing recent games through injury.
Kick off at the Estádio da Luz on Friday 16th December at 8.15pm local time.
