Benfica coach Jorge Jesus will be looking to beat his former club to reach the Europa League final, where the Eagles could easily meet their bogeymen Porto.

Benfica have not only lost the Liga Sagres title to fierce rivals Porto, but they also squandered a two-goal lead from the first match to stay without the Taca de Portugal title, although the League Cup final victory over Pacos Ferreira did lift the players’ spirits before the Braga game.

After eliminating Stuttgart, Paris Saint-Germain and PSV Eindhoven, Jorge Jesus is eager to beat Braga to reach the Europa League final and the Eagles are 1.57 (4/7) with Victor Chandler to win the first leg.

Keeper Roberto Jimenez will return to the side after being rested in Cup games against Porto and Pacos Ferreira, Cesar Peixoto has joined Eduardo Salvio, Ruben Amorim and Nuno Gomes in the infirmary. Carlos Martins and Nico Gaitan remain injury doubts.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-3-2): Roberto – Pereira, Luisao, Jardel, Coentrao – Garcia – Gaitan, Aimar, Jara – Cardozo, Saviola.

Sporting Braga have defied the odds to reach the final stages of the Europa League, but now that they are so close to the coveted title, the Minhotos are ready for the final push.

Domingos Paciencia’ side did extremely well to eliminate Lech Poznan, Liverpool and Dynamo Kyiv, and they now stand a decent chance against their Liga Sagres opponents.

Sporting Braga have lost both away games to Benfica this season, but won the home game in March and they are 3.00 (2/1) with Victor Chandler to make it to the final.

Striker Paulo Cesar is out of both legs after being slapped a two-match ban for the red card against Dynamo Kyiv, but Uwa Echiejile and Alberto Rodriguez should be fit to start after recovering from injury. Quim and Vinicius remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Artur – Paulao, Garcia, Rodriguez, Silvio – Viana, Vandinho, Salino – Lima, Alan, Meyong Ze.