The tension has been building in the Portuguese League for quite some time, but Benfica has done a good job to deal with it all in the right ways. A lead over their rivals in the domestic league already had their confidence sky high, but after their mid-week match against Fenerbahce, the Lisbon side will be even more focused.
A 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce put Jorge Jesus' side in the Europa League Final, somewhere the Aguias have not managed to be for 23 years. With that objective already checked off their list, Benfica now needs six points to guarantee a 33rd Portuguese League title.
On Monday night, 65,000 Benfica fans will fill the Estadio da Luz to show their support. After witnessing the atmosphere in the stadium on Thursday, Monday's match will certainly provide yet another day to remember.
Defeating Estoril would give Benfica their second victory over the Canarinhos this season, after their first meeting ended in a 1-3 victory for the Aguias. Gaitan, Lima and Salvio got their side well on their way to the full three points, with Jose Goncalo adding a late consolation goal for the hosts.
Now playing the away role, Estoril will attempt to continue their wonderful campaign.
Marco Silva's side is currently sixth in the Portuguese League to the surprise of many, but the Portuguese manager is hungry for more. Two points behind fifth placed V. Guimaraes, Estoril could jump into a Europa League spot with a victory on Monday.
"We expect a match of maximum difficulty," Marco Silva told reporters on Sunday. "Benfica is going to force us to work very hard, but our objective is to earn at least a point. If we win, even better."
Failure to grab the full three points at the Estadio da Luz would leave Estoril with two matches to make up a two point gap, or one point if they were to draw against Benfica on Monday. Taking advantage of a potentially fatigued Benfica side will be in the back of Silva's mind, but he knows that it will not be that easy.
"I do not believe in fatigue," the Estoril manager added. "Benfica responded well on Thursday, they have a lot of options and the atmosphere within the club and the Estadio da Luz will help with any fatigue. Estoril can surprise Benfica, but it will not be because of fatigue."
Jorge Jesus knows that this Estoril side can cause him problems on Monday, but he is also confident that his players will not let their emotions get the best of them.
"It is a decisive match just like our other matches have been," said Jorge Jesus. "At the moment, Benfica has been playing with the need to win in order to maintain their four point lead over Porto."
With that lead currently at one point due to Porto's victory on Saturday, the Portuguese manager is not worried about any euphoria within his squad, given their chance to claim three titles within the next three weeks.
"The level of responsibility does not grow at the end of the season, it stays the same," Jesus answered when questioned about a possible excess of confidence after Thursday's victory. "Our only objective is a victory. This doesn't add any pressure for us. What it does do is give us more satisfaction, we are near the end of the campaign and we can continue with a four point lead."
Given the way Benfica played on Thursday, it is hard to imagine a performance at such a high level, but not many people believed they would keep up their frenetic pace for the whole match either. This Estoril side has proven that they can cause problems regardless of their opponent.
With a chance to jump into the top five, the Estoril players will head into this match full of confidence as well, but they will need to make sure they don't let their emotions get the best of them. The stadium will be sold out and the fans will do their part to inject even more confidence into the home side who has defeated Estoril on 18 different ocassions at the Estadio da Luz, from a total of 25.
Can Estoril shoot down the Aguias confidence, or will Jorge Jesus' side continue their memorable run to yet another league title?
Prediction
Benfica 2-0 Estoril
