Astana set out to defend fortress from Benfica

"Our stadium is our home and our castle," said Stanimir Stoilov, with Astana eager to keep afloat in Group C with a home victory against a bruised Benfica side.

• Benfica are through with a win, or a draw provided Galatasaray do not beat Atlético
• Stanimir Stoilov hopes home advantage can help Astana avenge 2-0 loss in September
• Rui Vitória has faith in his injury-ravaged Benfica side
• Astana defeated in Kazakh Cup final at the weekend
• Benfica have lost three of last six matches in all competitions

Possible lineups
Astana: Erić; Anićić, Ilić, Postnikov, Shomko; Twumasi, Maksimović, Zhukov, Cañas, Kethevoama; Kabananga.
Out: Dzholchiyev (suspended)
Doubtful: Cañas (unspecified)

Benfica: Júlio César; Sílvio, Jardel, Lisandro López, Eliseu; André Almeida, Samaris, Gonçalo Guedes, Carcela-González; Jiménez, Jonas.
Out: Salvio (knee), Luisão (broken arm), Nélson Semedo (knee), Fejsa (foot), Lindelof (ankle), Gaitán (suspended)

Stanimir Stoilov, Astana coach
I'm expecting great support from our fans, because together with them we have an even better chance of winning. Our stadium is our home and our castle, and we should always look for victory here, even against the best teams in Europe. After their derby loss against Sporting, Benfica have been backed into a corner and they will be doubly motivated. It's too early to speak about qualifying for the next stage.

Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
There is no need for extra motivation; we can go through to the next stage if we win here, but it will be a difficult game for us. Astana were really disciplined in our first match, but I think [our 2-0 win] was a fair result. The team and the fans put in great performances at home against Galatasaray and Atlético. Despite having injured players, I have faith in my team.

Weekend results
Astana 1-2 Kairat Almaty (Twumasi 29; Despotović 48 69)
Astana were denied a domestic double by the side they pipped to the league title a fortnight ago, holders Kairat recovering from Patrick Twumasi's opener to win the Kazakh Cup final for the seventh time.

Sporting CP 2-1 Benfica (Adrien Silva 45, Slimani 112; Mitroglou 6)
Islam Slimani's extra-time goal sent Sporting into the last 16 of the Portuguese Cup and ended Benfica's hopes. The visitors had Andreas Samaris sent off two minutes after Slimani's intervention.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Astana: LWDWWW
Benfica: LWWWLL

Reporter's view: Denis Novitsky 
Both teams will want to bounce back from cup losses at the weekend. Astana need a victory to keep alive their hopes of qualifying, with both the points they have picked up so far having come courtesy of home draws – against Galatasaray and Atlético Madrid. Benfica will not be taking them lightly but can expect to dominate possession.

Did you know?
Astana have drawn both their home games in Group C and won all three of their home qualifiers; ourmatch background has more.

SUSPENSIONS AND INJURIES

Suspended

• Dzholchiyev (Astana)
• Gaitán (Benfica)

Reported player injuries

• Unspecified - Luisão (Benfica)
• Knee - Semedo (Benfica)

• Suspended
• Injured
• Doubtful

TOURNAMENT STATISTICS

Astana

Benfica

	2 Goals scored 7
	43 Possession (%) 52
	49 Total attempts 59
	15 on target 23
	25 off target 22
	9 blocked 14
	1 against woodwork 0
	14 Corners 15
	9 Offsides 4
	8 Yellow cards 15
	0 Red Cards 1
	55 Fouls committed 58
	36 Fouls suffered 56
	1456 Passes 1910
	1140 completed 1576

Astana sweating on Roger Canas fitness ahead of Benfica clash

Astana head coach Stanimir Stoilov hopes influential midfielder Roger Canas can shake off injury in time for his side's Champions League clash against Group C leaders Benfica, who can secure their place in the knockout stages.

Colombian Canas missed his side's recent Kazakh Cup final defeat to Kairat due to a muscle strain but could return as Astana chase their first win in their maiden Champions League group stage campaign.

"Roger's (injury) was microtrauma," Stoilov told the club's official website....

The Eagles must make do without the services of a couple of key players but can seal qualification with a victory in Kazakhstan

Benfica are set to be without captain Luisao as they look to seal a place in the Champions League last 16 with a win over Astana.

The Primeira Liga champions suffered a 2-1 extra-time loss to rivals Sporting CP in the Taca de Portugal on Saturday.

While they had two players sent off, an injury to Luisao added to the bad day for Rui Vitoria's men.

The 34-year-old Brazilian fractured his elbow in the defeat and required an operation, the club confirmed on Sunday.

Benfica, who sit third in the league table, are well placed to reach the round of 16 in Europe.

The Portuguese giants are top of Group C on nine points, two clear of Atletico Madrid and well ahead of Galatasaray (four points) and Astana (two).

Benfica now head to the Astana Arena to take on the Kazakh hosts, who also come into the clash on the back of a defeat in the cup.

Holders Kairat were 2-1 victors against Astana, who must win to keep their chances of Champions League progression alive.

A win will see Benfica advance, but a draw may also be enough for the visitors.

Adding to Vitoria's worries, Nicolas Gaitan is missing for Benfica as he serves a one-game ban.

Gaitan has been Benfica's leading goalscorer in the Champions League this season with three of their seven strikes.

Patrick Twumasi returns from suspension for Astana, while Bauyrzhan Dzholchiyev is banned for the Benfica clash.