Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash between Benfica Women and Eintracht Frankfurt Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
On Wednesday, Portuguese champions Benfica Women will welcome Eintracht Frankfurt Women to Lisbon for matchday three of the Women's Champions League.
Despite sitting in third position in Group A, the hosts are level on three points with their second-placed German opponents.
Match preview
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Benfica are making a third consecutive group-stage appearance after breezing through qualifying ties against Cliftonville, SFK Riga and Apollon Limassol.
After easing through the qualifying rounds, Benfica were brought down to earth by a heavy 5-0 away defeat to reigning European champions Barcelona in their opening group game.
Fortunately for the Portuguese side, they were able to bounce back on matchday two, with Kika Nazareth's second-half effort guiding them to a narrow 1-0 victory over Rosengard.
They followed that result with a disappointing 3-1 league defeat to their local rivals Sporting Lisbon, before they returned to winning ways with a commanding 6-0 win over Freamunde in Portugal's domestic cup competition.
Benfica will now turn their attention back to European matters, and with Barcelona set to run away with the group, their next two matches against Frankfurt could prove crucial if they are to progress from the Women's Champions League group stage for the first time.
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Frankfurt experienced an eventful journey to the main draw, edging out Slovacko and beating Juventus on penalties, before they made light work of a two-legged tie against Sparta Prague.
After beginning the group stage with a narrow 2-1 win over Rosengard, the German side gave a good account of themselves in a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona on matchday two.
Laura Freigang found the net in the 42nd minute to give Frankfurt a surprise half-time lead, but a Salma Paralluelo brace and a Mariona Caldentey effort ensured that the Catalan side left Germany with all three points.
While Frankfurt could not stop the Barcelona fightback, they were able to pull off their own comeback victory in Saturday's win over Hoffenheim, with Lara Prasnikar cancelling out Julia Hickelsberger's opener, before Nicole Anyomi and Shekiera Martinez grabbed a goal apiece to extend their side's unbeaten league run to seven matches.
Impressively, Niko Arnautis's charges are unbeaten in their last five competitive away matches (W4, D1) – a streak which has seen them win their previous four away games by a combined 8-1 scoreline.
Benfica Women Women's Champions League form:
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
Benfica Women form (all competitions):
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
Eintracht Frankfurt Women Women's Champions League form:
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
Eintracht Frankfurt Women form (all competitions):
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
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Team News
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Benfica coach Filipa Patao will have to cope without the services of forward Jessica Silva, who recently picked up an injury while on international duty with Portugal.
Experienced defender Carole Costa is expected to feature in central defence alongside Christy Ucheibe, while Lais Araujo and Lucia Alves could operate as the two full-backs.
After scoring the winner against Rosengard, Nazareth will be a key part of the Benfica forward line, which could also feature Andrea Falcon and Nycole Raysla.
As for the visitors, full-back Nadine Riesen is a doubt after she missed Sunday's win over Hoffenheim through illness.
Despite coming off the bench to score a late goal at the weekend, Martinez may have to settle for a place among the substitutes, with Arnuatis set to name an unchanged lineup.
Having scored four goals in five European appearances this season (including qualifying), Freigang will look to add to her tally when she lines up just behind the front two of Anyomi and Prasnikar.
Benfica Women possible starting lineup:
Pauels; Lais, Costa, Ucheibe, Alves; Faria, Gasper, Alidou; Raysla, Falcon, Nazareth
Eintracht Frankfurt Women possible starting lineup:
Johannes; Wolter, Doorsun, Kleinherne, Hanshaw; Reuteler, Pawollek, Dunst; Freigang; Anyomi, Prasnikar
We say: Benfica Women 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt Women
Benfica will be looking to make full use of home advantage on Wednesday, but while they will be targeting maximum points, we think that they will have to settle for a draw, with Frankfurt unbeaten in five competitive away matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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