Benfica vs Vitória de Guimarães Prediction: Not Expecting As Águias To Keep A Clean Sheet!

Benfica will be eager to extend their winning run in the league to three matches as they play host to Vitória de Guimarães at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the fourth round of the Primeira Liga.

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Benfica vs. Vitória de Guimarães, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Benfica

The defending champions have slowly started to find their feet after a less than ideal start to the season, which saw them suffer their first loss in the season opener against Boavista, losing 3-3 on the road, a result that was far from expectations after seeing off the threat of bitter rivals FC Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, winning 2-0 to clinch their first silverware of the season.

They have since gone to rectify their mistake from the season opener with back-to-back wins in the league, a 2-0 win against Sérgio Vieira's side Estrela Amadora at home and a hard-fought 3-2 win against Vítor Campelos' Gil Vicente on the road, and will be eager to make it three wins in a row as they aim for the pinnacle in the standings.

Though their third consecutive win won't come on a silver platter as they take on a tricky side in this impending clash, there is still a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for As Águias, who may feel that a second consecutive win at home is a mere 90 minutes away from happening. As Águias have avoided defeat in their last 14 home matches against Vitoria SC, winning 12 and drawing 2, and will likely want to build up on this momentum before the international break by extending their unbeaten streak to 15 matches.

They currently occupy 5th place with 6 points and are three points behind first place, which is occupied by their opponents in this impending clash.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

S. Soares; F. Aursnes, A. Silva, N. Otamendi, A. Bah; F. Luis, O. Kokcu; J. Mario, R. Silva, A. Di Maria; Arthur

Vitória de Guimarães

Os Vimaranenses have started the season on an impressive note, marking themselves as one of the three sides in the Primeira Liga to secure wins in their opening three matches. Their recent match against Vizela saw them secure a comfortable 2-0 win at home, making it their second consecutive win at home after defeating Gil Vicente 2-1.

Behind their league success has been a rough patch in European football, as they fell short of etching their name in the history books by dispelling the curse that cast a shadow over them and Portuguese teams. No Portuguese team has ever qualified for the Europa Conference League group stages, as their disappointing defeat at the hands of NK Celje in the second qualifying round, losing 4-2 on penalties after a 1:0 defeat in regular time that brought the aggregate score to a 4-4 draw, was confirmation.

While the Europa Conference League silverware is out of contention for them, not all is lost as they can carve out their own history by clinching their first ever Taca da Liga silverware, and the path to achieving that isn't a straightforward assignment as they get to lock horns with Tondela seven days from now before the upcoming international break.

They are currently in the driving seat in the standings as they occupy first place with nine points in the early stages of the season, level with second-placed FC Porto and third-placed Sporting CP.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-5-2

B. Varela; J. Fernandes, M. Silva, M. Villanueva; B. Gaspar, T. Silva, T. Handel, J. Mendes, A. de Freitas; A. Silva, Jota

Match Facts

• Benfica have won four of their last six matches against Vitória de Guimarães.
• Vitória de Guimarães are winless in their last 27 matches against Benfica.
• Benfica averages 2.4 goals per game when playing at home, and Vitória de Guimarães averages 1.4 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 56 meetings, Benfica have won 40 times, Vitória de Guimarães have won 7 times, and there have been 9 draws, with the goal difference being 105-37 in favor of Benfica.

Expert Betting Tips

Benfica have one shot at redemption for putting forth a more convincing performance this time around at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where their unwavering dominance has been felt by their opponents in this impending clash. Bookmakers have them as favorites to secure a comfortable win as they boast a superior squad at their disposal compared to their opponents, not forgetting their domineering stature in this fixture, and anything other than a win will come as a shock.

Vitória de Guimarães is fully aware of the daunting challenge that stands in their way and will likely opt for a prudent stance against the defending champions. Their three-match winning streak in the league provides a glimmer of hope that they'll also prove to be a tricky opponent to apprehend and should not be underestimated from causing a major upset.

Therefore, we anticipate both sides getting on the scoreboard, given that this has been the case in four of their last six matches. And Benfica's shaky defense that has seen them concede five goals in their opening three matches is more than enough reason to expect Vitória de Guimarães to get on the scoresheet.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 2.02
• Goals - Over 3.5 for 2.10
• Highest Scoring Half - 2nd for 1.98