The Estádio da Luz prepares for a high-stakes Monday night clash on December 22, 2025, as Benfica host Famalicão. Under the management of José Mourinho, Benfica are desperate to bridge the gap to league leaders Porto, while Famalicão aims to prove their top-six credentials after a bruising cup exit.
Benfica enters this fixture as one of only two unbeaten sides in the league, but five draws in 14 matches have left them eight points adrift of the summit. Famalicão, currently in 6th, has been the season's "tough nut to crack," boasting one of the most disciplined away records in Portugal.
Current Form: Mourinho’s Stability vs. Famalicão’s Resilience
Benfica: The Unbeaten Pursuit
Mourinho has instilled a level of defensive grit at Benfica rarely seen in recent years. As Águias have conceded only 8 goals in 14 league matches. They come into this game following a 2-0 Taça de Portugal win over Farense and a commanding 4-0 league victory against Moreirense.
The headline story for Benfica is the form of Vangelis Pavlidis. The Greek striker is the league's top scorer with 13 goals and returns to the lineup fresh after being rested mid-week. With the creative support of Fredrik Aursnes and the rising star Heorhii Sudakov, Benfica’s attack is finally beginning to match their defensive solidity.
Famalicão: Bouncing Back from the Dragão
Famalicão’s confidence was tested mid-week in a 4-1 thrashing by Porto in the Taça de Portugal. However, their league form tells a different story. They recently dismantled Estoril 4-0 and have remained unbeaten on the road this season (3 wins, 3 draws).
Managed by Hugo Oliveira, Famalicão plays a high-risk, high-reward style. They are the most penalized team in the league (averaging 18 fouls per match), a statistic that reflects their aggressive, disruptive approach designed to break the rhythm of elite opponents.
Tactical Breakdown: Possession vs. Disruption
Benfica’s 4-2-3-1 Control
Mourinho’s tactical setup relies on the double pivot of Richard Ríos and Enzo Barrenechea to provide a platform for the front four. Benfica focuses on wide overloads, with Tomás Araújo and Nicolas Otamendi acting as a high-line security blanket. Expect Benfica to dominate possession (averaging 58%) and look for Pavlidis to exploit the spaces between Famalicão’s center-backs.
Famalicão’s Counter-Press
Famalicão typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 that transforms into a compact 4-4-2 without the ball. Their danger lies in Gustavo Sá and Gil Dias. Dias has created more "big chances" (8) than any other player in the squad, and his ability to deliver precise crosses for Yassir Zabiri will be Famalicão’s primary path to an upset.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Benfica Team News
Out: Alexander Bah (knee), Bruma (Achilles), Nuno Félix (knee), Dodi Lukébakio (ankle).
Doubtful: Leandro Barreiro, Heorhii Sudakov.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, Araújo, Dahl; Barrenechea, Ríos; Aursnes, Rego, Sudakov; Pavlidis.
Famalicão Team News
Out: Pedro Bondo (AFCON duty), Gonzalo Pastor (knee), Oscar Aranda (cruciate ligament).
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Carevic; Pinheiro, De Haas, Realpe, Soares; Van de Looi, De Amorim; Dias, Sá, Sorriso; Zabiri.
Head-to-Head: A Dominant Record
Benfica has historically bullied this fixture at the Estádio da Luz.
Historical Trend: Benfica is unbeaten in their last 10 games against Famalicão (since Dec 2019).
Clean Sheet Streak: Famalicão has failed to score in their last 6 away league visits to Benfica.
Last Meeting: Benfica 4-0 Famalicão (January 2025).
Key Matchups to Watch
Vangelis Pavlidis vs. Justin De Haas: Pavlidis is in "hat-trick form," but De Haas is one of the highest-rated defenders in the league this season. This physical duel in the box will define Benfica's scoring efficiency.
Nicolas Otamendi vs. Yassir Zabiri: Zabiri leads Famalicão in shots on target per match. The veteran Otamendi, who missed a penalty mid-week, will be eager to prove his defensive concentration remains elite.
Richard Ríos vs. Gustavo Sá: The battle for the "engine room." Ríos is the metronome for Mourinho, while Sá is the creative heartbeat of Famalicão. Whoever controls the transition phase will control the game.
Match Prediction: The Mourinho Method
While Famalicão’s away record is impressive, the "Mourinho factor" at the Luz is significant. Benfica has turned their home ground into a fortress, and with Pavlidis in clinical form, they should have too much firepower for a Famalicão side still reeling from their heavy defeat to Porto.
Final Score Prediction: Benfica 2-0 Famalicão
