Liga Portugal 2025-2026: Braga-Benfica, the probable formations

In the Portuguese top league standings, Jose Mourinho’s Benfica is third with 35 points and pays an 8-point gap to Porto, the league leader, a gap that is complicated to recover, also because the Dragons have not missed a beat for some time.

The team led by the former Inter and Roma helmsman therefore knows it must aim for a clear path and hope for a few missteps by the rivals in front (Sporting is -5 from the top and +3 from Benfica).

To close out 2025, the Eagles will pay a visit to Braga, fifth with 25 points: an away trip that is anything but easy, with the Encarnados called upon to try their hand at the Municipal: 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Lisbon club arrived from a quiet Christmas, thanks to a painful but convincing home success against Famalição, which extended the positive series. The rivals, on the other hand, were busy in the Taça de Portugal: they got through the round with Caldas with three goals in ten minutes at the start of the second half.

Probable lineups

Braga (3-5-2): Hornicek; Arrey-Mbi, Lagerbielke, Carvalho; Martinez, Gorby, Moutinho, Rodrigues, Gomez; Victor, Zalazar. Coach: Vicens.

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Soares; Dahl, Silva, Otamendi, Dedic; Rios, Barrenechea; Sudakov, Prestianni, Aursnes; Pavlidis. Coach: Mourinho.