Benfica vs CD Santa Clara Prediction: Handicap Covered For The Eagles!

The upcoming 34th round of the Primeira Liga will be hosted at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where Benfica and Santa FC will battle it out for ultimate glory. With a potential win, Benfica could see themselves crowned champions of the season. This is an exciting fixture that promises to deliver all the thrills and spills associated with top-level football.

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Benfica vs CD Santa Clara, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Benfica

Form: DWWWW

The Eagles saw their four-match winning streak come to an end in their recent match against high-flying Sporting CP on the road, as they only managed to salvage a point in a 2:2 draw.

In that match, there's no denying that they were outplayed by Ruben Amorim's men, as they found themselves trailing behind after two first-half goals from Francisco Trincao and Ousmane Diomande. It took them until the 71st minute to pull one back through Fredrik Aursnes' goal, eventually leveling the scoreboard in the dying embers of the game through youngster João Neves' goal.

This season, there's no doubt that they have exceeded expectations ten-fold when playing at home, where they have only lost one of their last 16 home matches while recording 14 wins and a draw to amass 43 points, and it's worth noting that they are currently on a two-match winning streak.

They presently occupy first place with 84 points in the standings, and failure to record a positive result could see them lose out on their title aspirations as only two points separate them from second-place FC Porto. Though a point will be enough to see them clinch their first league title since 2019, mainly owing to a better goal differential, collecting all maximum points will put their minds at ease.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-5-1

Vlachodimos; Aursnes, A Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Neves, Chiquinho, Mario, R Silva, Neres; Ramos

CD Santa Clara

Form: WLWLD

Going into this game, the Azoreans managed to get back to winning ways as they eked out a 1:0 triumph against Portimonense SC at home, but it proved futile in their efforts to avoid the relegation zone.

In that game, they took the lead through Andrezinho's goal in the 27th minute, and despite creating as many chances in search of another goal, their lack of efficiency in front of goal was unfortunately their undoing.

The Azoreans have paid dearly for their subpar performance this season, as their five-year presence in the Primeira Liga has come crashing down in the most heartfelt way as they'll be relegated to the second-tier league come the game's conclusion, which is miles apart from what they had hoped to achieve this season. They presently occupy 18th place with 22 points and are 10 points behind safety.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-5-1

Batista; Sagna, Ygor, Italo, Nunes; Jordao, Adriano, Andrezinho, Aleida, Silva; Matheus

Match Facts

• Benfica have won four consecutive matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Santa Clara have lost eight consecutive away matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Benfica averages 2.81 goals per game when playing at home, and CD Santa Clara averages 0.5 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 12 meetings, Benfica have won 10 times, Santa Clara have won 1 time, and there have been 1 draw, with the goal difference being 29-10 in favor of Benfica.

Expert Betting Tips

CD Santa Clara have been on a poor run of form against Benfica in their past 12 matches, having only claimed one victory. This could be set to continue as the two sides face off again, with Benfica looking to pick up another convincing win.

Benfica's current position in the standings of Portugal's Primeira Liga has put them in a difficult position. With two points separating them from their rivals, FC Porto, in second place, Benfica know that a loss could mean they miss out on the title of champions this season.

This makes their game against struggling side CD Santa Clara all the more important, and Benfica cannot afford to lose this match if they are to keep their chances alive. As such, we anticipate the home side to win convincingly on the handicap of -2.5.

• Handicap 2 (-2.5) for 1.70
• Goals - Over 3.5 for 1.77
• Corners - Over 11 for 2.25