Benfica eyes league win after UCL controversy

Benfica is set to shift focus to their Primeira Liga clash against AVS on Saturday, aiming to move past a controversial midweek Champions League encounter. The Eagles suffered a 1-0 defeat in their first leg against Real Madrid, a match marred by allegations of racial slurs during a goal celebration involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.

Despite the European distractions, Benfica has been dominant domestically, extending their unbeaten league run to 37 matches with their recent win at Santa Clara. This remarkable streak keeps them as the only undefeated side in the league this season, though they currently trail the league leaders by seven points.

AVS, languishing at the bottom of the table, enters this fixture buoyed by their first league victory of the season, a 3-0 triumph over Estoril Praia. However, their away record remains poor, having lost eight of ten away league matches, and they face a formidable Benfica side that has historically dominated this fixture.

Benfica will be without the suspended Prestianni, but Dodi Lukebakio and Richard Rios are nearing full fitness. AVS faces uncertainty over midfielder Pedro Lima and will miss Antoine Baroan and Guillem Molina due to injury.