Portimonense SC vs Benfica Prediction: Expecting The Eagles To Bounce Back In Fashionable Style

Portimonense are confronted with one of the hardest tests to date in their bid to secure a second win on the bounce as they welcome defending champions Benfica to the Estádio Municipal de Portimão in the 6th round of the Primeira Liga.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Portimonense SC

Form: WDDLL

Portimonense pulled off one of the most iconic comebacks to date in the 2023–24 Primeira Liga campaign as a superb performance from Carlinhos, who bagged a brace, saw him give his side a narrow 2-1 over favored Victoria de Guimaraes on the road to claim maximum points.

While this win enabled them to climb out of the bottom three in the standings, it is their first triumph of the season after getting off to a rocky start where they were currently on a four-match winless run, recording two draws and two losses.

Despite being on a three-match unbeaten run in the league and being confident in adding to their tally a second win on the bounce, Paulo Sergio will likely want to maintain a positive outlook on their prospects of achieving such a feat against a side that is currently on a three-match losing streak in this fixture.

They currently occupy 13th place with 5 points in the standings, level with 12th-placed Rio Ave, and are three points ahead of the relegation zone. Their bid for a sixth-place finish is hindered by a three-point deficit.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Vinicius Silvestre; F. Relvas, Pedrao, J. Tornich, M. Sech; Nonoca, Dener, Carlinhos; S. Jasper, P. Pereira Araujo, H. Varela

Benfica

Form: WWWWL

Antonio Silva's sending off in the first half against Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League group stage opener stirred the hornets nest, which led to his side suffering a surprise 2-0 defeat. This defeat has seen the 1962 champions occupy 4th place in Group D and are the only side yet to collect a point.

Before that, they maintained their supremacy over FC Vizela by recording a 2-1 victory on the road courtesy of goals from Petar Musa and Ángel Di María.

The Eagles, who despite having to be content with playing catch-up this season in the meantime in their bid for the coveted spot in the standings, have been in impressive form when it comes to their league duties. They have won four consecutive matches to accumulate 12 points and will be confident in adding another three-pointer to their portfolio.

They currently occupy 4th place with 12 points and are not very far away from the coveted spot, which is occupied by Boavista, as a one-point deficit stands in their way.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

A. Trubin; A. Bah, A. Silva, N. Otamendi, F. Aursnes; O. Kokcu, J. Neves; A. Di Maria, R. Silva, J. Mario; P. Musa

Match Facts

• Portimonense SC have yet to keep a clean sheet in their five matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Benfica have lost one of their five matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Portimonense SC averages 0.9 goals per game when playing at home, and Benfica averages 2.2 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 16 meetings, Portimonense SC have won 2 times, Benfica have won 11 times, and there have been 3 draws, with the goal difference being 37-15 in favor of Benfica.

Expert Betting Tips

Portimonense will be out to emphasize that their win over Vitoria de Guimaraes wasn't in any way a fluke by replicating the same result against defending champions Benfica, who have maintained significant dominance in head-to-head meetings. However, their poor form in the league suggests that this feat won't be easy to achieve, not now or ever.

Benfica have a superior squad at their disposal, and though that was not evident in their opening match against Salzburg in the Champions League, their wrath will be felt in this clash. They have won three consecutive matches when playing away in this fixture, with the total exceeding 2.5 goals, and as such, we anticipate the same trend to continue here.

• W2 & TO 2.5 for 1.68
• 1st Half Goals - Over 1.5 for 2.20
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.93