Today at 2:45 p.m. ET two UEFA Champions League Group C teams battling for pride rather than a knockout stage berth at this point, Anderlecht and Benfica, will take the pitch at Constant Vanden Stock in football action that can be live streamed here.
Anderlecht is in more dire straits than Benfica, having gone winless through four Champions League matches and facing a seventh straight last place finish in the group stage.
There were signs of hope in their last game, a 1-1 draw with Paris-St. Germain in which they held a lead at one point, and will get midfielder Ronald Vargas back from injury in time for today's showdown.
He will come off the bench for Anderlecht, and told reporters "I dream of playing in the Champions League again. I cannot play 90 minutes yet, but I can add creativity to the team as a substitute."
These two teams are likely playing for third place and a Europa League berth, although second place is a miniscule possibility. Despite regaining Vargas, Anderlecht is still beset by myriad maladies. Striker Matias Suarez is still out with torn ligaments in his knee, while midfielder Guillaume Gillet is out with a nasty gash on his knee. They'll be without starting goalkeeper Silvio Proto, who is currently battling an ankle ailment.
Benfica has been better overall than Anderlecht, but since taking them out in the Champions League opener, Benfica hasn't registered another victory. They've suffered two loss and managed one draw, totaling just four points. They also have a minus-two goal differential.
They have also struggled away from home, posting an 0-2 record when traveling to their opponents' pitch. Unlike Anderlecht though, they have a very real chance at second place still so they should be in a better mental state.
They'll need to be strong in the mind because they'll take the pitch sans midfielder Ruben Amorim, who has an injured knee and striker Oscar Cardozo whose back has flared up.
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