Benfica v AVS: top-three push meets relegation fight | OneFootball

Benfica host AVS in Liga Portugal on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at Estádio da Luz, with the unbeaten hosts eyeing the top two while the visitors battle to escape the foot of the table.

Benfica are third with 52 points from 22 league games without defeat. AVS sit 18th on eight points and a -36 goal difference. The hosts are unbeaten in the last four meetings with AVS, winning three and drawing one.

Águias have won four of their last five league matches, including a 2-1 victory at Santa Clara. AVS ended a three-game league losing run by beating Estoril 3-0 last time out.

Águias are without goalkeeper Samuel Soares and midfielder João Veloso through injury.

Encarnados may control the ball, averaging 59% possession and 85.45% passing accuracy, and they have scored 46 while conceding only 13 with 11 clean sheets. AVS average 41% possession, have shipped 54 goals and kept one clean sheet. Evangelos Pavlidis leads the Liga scoring with 20 goals and could be the focal point, with Sidny Cabral adding six league goals and four assists. With nine headed goals and a perfect record from 10 penalties, Encarnados could also profit from deliveries and spot kicks against an AVS side who have conceded seven penalties.

A win would take Encarnados to 55 points and could tighten the top-three picture. AVS would move to 11 points and may trim the gap to those above but remain locked in a relegation fight.