Tomorrow (Saturday) Benfica will be playing against Academica in Coimbra.  The game is the first after a two week stoppage in Portuguese League play, and comes on the eve of the decisive AC Milan Champions League game.

Benfica will be playing in Coimbra with a different team than what we have become accustomed to over the last few games.  On the defense Benfica should start with David Luiz and Luisão.  This game will mark David Luiz´s return to the lineup after an injury suffered in the very first Portuguese League game.  This will obviously be the first time this year that Luisão and David Luiz pair up for an official game.  Baring an unforeseen event,  they should be the regular starters on defense.  Nelson is also expected to return from his injury but should sit this on the bench.

At midfield Benfica will be without Maxi Pereira and Cristian Rodriguez.  Both played for the Uruguayan  National team and just returned to Portugal.  Camacho thought it best to leave the two players in Lisbon, especially since Benfica has the game against Milan on Tuesday. The good news for Camacho, and Benfica, is that Petit is also back from his injury.  He will not be a starter but should see some playing time since Camacho wants him ready for the AC Milan game as well.  It is expected that Nuno Assis and Di Maria both start, with the already mentioned Petit and Freddy Adu on the bench with a good chance of seeing some playing time.

At the forward spot Benfica will be without Cardoso, who is still in the final stages of recovery from the injury suffered in the last game.   Nuno Gomes should be the only forward player on the team.

This is an important game for Benfica, it comes as the team has just recovered some ground on Porto, and on the eve of an all decisive game against AC Milan.