LIVE streaming: Nacional vs Benfica - Watch online, on TV on March 17

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Benfica, Nacional, Portuguese League

Benfica will try to extend their lead at the top of the league standings to seven points once again. They have won six of their previous twelve meetings at the Choupana, with Monday's match being very important.

Preview: After watching Sporting win on Sunday, Benfica is now under pressure

Sunday’s result between Sporting and Porto will apply some pressure to Benfica on Monday. The current league leaders are four points clear of their Lisbon rivals, but could move back to seven points with a victory against Nacional.

Jorge Jesus’ squad has been in impressive form this season, despite their slow start to the 2013/14 campaign.

Undefeated in their last 24 matches across all competitions, Benfica will try to make it 25. Their last defeat was in Greece against Olympiakos, in a match that could well have been won, had it not been for a stellar performance from the Greek’s goalkeeper.

Since then, the Eagles have won 22 matches, while drawing only two. In that span, they have scored a total of 50 goals, and only conceded 13. From their last 17 matches, they have also only conceded two, which has earned them the status of Europe’s best club in 2014 up until now.

Continuing that streak at the Estadio da Madeira is possible, but the hosts tend to generally give Benfica a tough match.

Coincidentally, Nacional has only lost once at home in their last 11 matches, with that defeat coming against Benfica in the League Cup. An own goal from Mexer gave the Lisbon side the victory, but Nacional will be looking to avenge that defeat.

Their track record at home in recent years in this fixture has also not been very kind to them.
In their previous 12 matches at the Choupana, the hosts have come away with only four victories. Benfica has won six of those matches, with two finishing in a draw.

If Manuel Machado’s side wants to grab the full three points on Monday night, they will have to stop the most potent offense away from home.

With 20 goals scored outside of the Estadio da Luz in the domestic league, Benfica not only has the best offense, but they have the second best defensive record in away matches, with Academica having conceded one less goal than them.

As for Nacional, they are currently in a Europa League stop, three points clear of sixth placed Braga. The race for the fifth and final European spot will be tight, so every point going forward is going to be vital.

The hosts are averaging over one goal against per match at home, which could be bad news, seeing as Benfica has a streak of scoring in every game. On the offensive side of the ball, Nacional is also averaging just over one goal per match, but they will need to be very efficient with whatever opportunities they have.

If Benfica is to drop points on Monday night, it could blow the title hopes wide open. With seven matches remaining after today, both these sides cannot afford to drop points if they want to achieve their goals.