Taça de Portugal 2025-2026: FC Porto-Benfica, the likely lineups
The Estadio do Dragão is preparing for a new, highly anticipated chapter of the ‘Portuguese Classic’ par excellence: Porto and Benfica take on Porto on Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m. Italian time in the quarterfinals of the Taça de Portugal, in a match that can direct the season of both. The hosts want to move closer to their 21st domestic cup, while the Eagles see the competition as the most concrete way to add another trophy to the trophy cabinet after the Super Cup.
Porto comes to the match with a roster of 11 wins in their last 12 matches and seven consecutive victories. Francesco Farioli’s team dominates the Primeira Liga with a six-point lead and has already shown great solidity in the cup as well, overwhelming Famalicão 4-1 in the previous round. The Italian coach will not have at his disposal valuable players such as Luuk de Jong, while the doubt Moura complicates the management of the left flank, but the scoring explosion of Samu Agehowa (nine goals in seven games) offers important certainties to try to overcome the Benfica taboo (two defeats and a draw in the last three head-to-head).
The Lisbon red-and-white team arrives at the match against their Porto rivals fresh from the knockout in the other Cup, the League Cup, against Braga 3-1. José Mourinho has to deal with a decimated defensive department: Otamendi is disqualified, Antonio Silva remains in doubt and several players, including Bah, Bruma, Lukebakio, Nuno Félix and Samuel Soares, are in the pits. On the other hand, the attack is in great form thanks to a devastating Pavlidis, author of eight goals in the last five outings. Benfica is also clinging to its external performance: six wins in the last eight away matches.
Probable lineups
FC Porto (4-3-3): C. Ramos; Fernandes, Kiwior, Bednarek, A. Costa; Froholdt, Rosario, Mora; Pepe, Samu, Sainz. All. Farioli.
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, T. Araujo, A. Silva, Dahl; Rios, M. Silva; Sudakov, Barreiro, Aursnes; Pavlidis. All. Mourinho.
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