Benfica hosts Sp. Braga this Saturday, starting at 6 pm, in a match counting for the 31st round of the Portuguese I League, with the final stretch of the championship approaching and Sporting increasingly prepared for the celebrations at Marquês de Pombal. If Benfica still harbors any hope of being champion, this round is decisive. This is because a defeat against Sp. Braga, combined with a victory for Sporting over FC Porto at Estádio do Dragão, consecrates the Lions as new champions. On the other hand, if Benfica wins, and Sporting loses at Dragão, Roger Schmidt and company can still be mathematically champions, in the last three rounds. Sp. Braga wants to ensure direct entry into the group stage of the Europa League. Recent clashes have been favorable to Benfica. In the first round, they won 0-1 at Pedreira and, in the Portuguese Cup, a new triumph by 3-2, in January. The last victory of the bracarenses over the eagles was in 2022. The match will be refereed by João Pinheiro and you can follow it live with Desporto Ao Minuto. Coaches Roger Schmidt: Champions League Goal. "As I said before, one thing is to have the possibility to fight to be champions, another is to be part of the Champions League next year, even more so with the new format. It is important financially, but also for the image of the club. The access places are different this year and it is very important that we guarantee this second place. Our goal is to fight for the best possible position". Supporters' Contestation. "What I said was because they criticized. It is better for the fans to support us than to be at home, obviously. I hope we have a great atmosphere around us. It is very good. It is one of the main reasons that makes us believe that we can be successful. Playing at home has to be an advantage. We have to show that we always fight for the three points. As is customary with the Benfica jersey. I hope to have their support to win the game". Rui Duarte: Analysis: "They are a good team, with quality, with very high-level players, who play at home. We analyzed what we have to do to go and win the game, without any doubt and with confidence, personality, and identity" Ideal result: "I don't think so [that a draw could be good] and nobody in this house thinks so. Sporting de Braga is a big club that always fights for the three points. I don't believe in going into a game, whatever it is, thinking that a draw will be good, even though, eventually, and depending on what has happened in the 90-odd minutes, in the end we can say that a draw could be good" Last eleven Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Alexander Bah, António Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, Álvaro Carreras, João Mário, Florentino Luís, Ángel Di María, Orkun Kökçü, Tiago Gouveia, Arthur Cabral. Sp. Braga: Matheus Magalhães, Víctor Gómez, Sikou Niakaté, Paulo Oliveira, Cristián Borja, Vitor Carvalho, João Moutinho, Álvaro Djaló, Ricardo Horta, Bruma, Simon Banza. Recent results Benfica: W-L-W-W-L Sp. Braga: W-W-L-W-W Absences Benfica: Tomás Araújo and Juan Bernat (suspension) Sp. Braga: Abel Ruiz (suspension) Read Also: Rui Duarte guarantees Sporting de Braga to fight for the three points at Luz (Portuguese version)