BETTING GUIDE: Chaves vs Benfica, match preview, team news and betting tip
Reading Time: 5min | Fri. 17.10.25. | 12:25
Mourinho’s Benfica arrive at this stage of the Portuguese Cup in search of a much-needed boost after a mixed run of results.
Benfica begin their 2025/26 Taça de Portugal campaign with a trip to second-tier side Chaves on Friday evening.
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After a frustrating goalless draw against league leaders Porto before the international break, José Mourinho’s men now shift their focus to domestic cup action, where they will look to end an eight-year wait for silverware in this competition.
Chaves, meanwhile, are enjoying an unbeaten start to their season, and will be hopeful of causing an upset in what promises to be an intriguing encounter in Villareal.
Mourinho’s Benfica arrive at this stage of the Portuguese Cup in search of a much-needed boost after a mixed run of results.
Their last two matches saw a narrow 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea followed by the 0-0 stalemate with Porto, meaning the Eagles have now gone two games without scoring.
Despite that, holding Porto - unbeaten at home this season - to a draw was a minor success, even if Benfica managed just four attempts and one shot on target in that game.
Now turning their attention to the cup, Benfica aim to put their recent struggles behind them as they begin a campaign in a competition they haven't won since 2017 - their longest drought across domestic trophies.
Last season, they reached the final but fell short in dramatic fashion, surrendering a stoppage-time lead before conceding twice in extra time against arch-rivals Sporting Lisbon.
That bitter loss only adds further incentive for Mourinho’s men to mount a serious title challenge this year.
Chaves, on the other hand, enter this tie full of confidence.
Under new manager Filipe Martins, the second-division outfit have made an impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions.
They come into this clash on the back of three consecutive clean-sheet victories, most recently a 1-0 win over Vizela in Liga Portugal 2, where Roberto struck the decisive goal for the fourth game running.
That victory followed a comfortable 2-0 win over Paredes in the previous round of the cup, helping Chaves reach the third round for the fourth season in a row.
Martins is expected to name a competitive starting XI, despite the underdog tag. With his side in good form, wholesale changes are unlikely, but a few adjustments could be made.
Striker Roberto is expected to lead the line once again after scoring in each of his last four league outings, meaning Uros Milovanovic may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Carraca, who scored in the win over Paredes, should retain his place at right-back, while winger Ktatau could be in line for a start after a strong showing off the bench in the last round.
Goalkeeper Vozinha may be rested following international duty with Cape Verde, with Marko Gudzulic potentially starting between the sticks after featuring in the last round.
The only notable absentee for Chaves is Wellington Carvalho, who continues his recovery from an abductor injury.
For Benfica, injuries could force Mourinho into some changes.
Ukrainian midfielder Georgiy Sudakov is a doubt after picking up a shoulder injury on international duty, while Bruma remains sidelined with an Achilles issue.
Long-term absentees Alexander Bah and Manu Silva are edging closer to returns but are unlikely to be risked here.
Gianluca Prestianni is unavailable due to international duty with Argentina’s U20s.
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Mourinho, who has named an unchanged side in Benfica’s last two matches, is expected to rotate his squad slightly, especially with eight players returning from international duty.
Samuel Soares could replace Anatoliy Trubin in goal, while young defender Tomas Araujo might come in at centre-back.
With Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic possibly being rested after international action with Greece and Croatia respectively, Henrique Araujo could get his first start of the season in attack.
Chaves are enjoying a strong start to life under Martins.
They remain unbeaten this season, with four wins and four draws from their eight games so far.
Their defensive solidity has been a standout feature, with three straight clean sheets heading into Friday’s tie.
Recent wins over Paredes (2-0), Farense (2-0), and Vizela (1-0) reflect a side growing in confidence and organisation.
Benfica, by contrast, have had a more turbulent period.
After a promising start to the campaign that included a Super Cup victory and progression through Champions League qualifiers, results have dipped. Since the end of September, the Eagles have drawn with Santa Clara and Porto, and lost away to Qarabag and Chelsea.
Mourinho’s men have struggled to create clear-cut chances in recent matches, particularly against defensively compact sides.
While Benfica remain heavy favourites on paper, history shows that Chaves have made things difficult in recent meetings.
Benfica claimed a narrow 1-0 home victory in their most recent encounter in March, but the last time they visited Chaves, they had to work hard for a 2-0 win.
Interestingly, Chaves have avoided defeat in two of their last three home games against Benfica - evidence that they are not easily overrun on home soil.
Overall, Benfica hold a dominant record with 31 wins from 39 matches against Chaves, including winning 12 of the last 14 meetings.
However, the hosts will be encouraged by their recent form and will look to frustrate a Benfica side that has struggled in front of goal lately.
Key Pointers
Chaves are undefeated in their last 9 matches.
The northerners have lost 12 of their last 14 games against Benfica.
Chaves have won four of their last five matches.
Benfica have won two of their last seven matches.
Given the form and circumstances, Benfica are expected to dominate this fixture in terms of possession and chances.
Mourinho’s men have superior depth and quality, even with potential rotation. However, Chaves are no pushovers and their defensive resilience under Martins suggests they won’t roll over easily.
They have conceded just once in their last four matches and will aim to sit deep, absorb pressure, and strike on the counter.
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With that in mind, Benfica to win is a strong betting angle. They have managed clean sheets in four of their last five matches against Chaves.
Still, Benfica’s pedigree and desperation to break their Taça de Portugal drought should be enough to see them through, albeit perhaps not in spectacular fashion.
Prediction: Benfica to win
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