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After picking up a couple of thumping wins on the continental stage, Benfica turn their attention to the start of the new domestic season, with newly-promoted Academico de Viseu being their first opponents.
Marco Silva, who recently made the switch from Fulham to the Eagles, will make his return to Liga Portugal for the first time since 2015.
When it comes to Academico de Viseu, this clash will mark their first game back in the Portuguese elite for the first time in 37 years.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Benfica vs. Academico Viseu key stats
- Benfica have scored 11 goals across their last two home games.
- Academico de Viseu lost four of their last eight away matches.
- The last head-to-head meeting took place in 1989 and was won 1-0 by Benfica.
Benfica vs. Academico Viseu preview: Hosts on fire ahead of the new season
Benfica vs Academico Viseu — Tale of the Tape
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Silva’s latest managerial journey kicked off with a surprise away defeat against St Gallen in the Europa League qualifiers.
Benfica fell to a 2-1 loss in the first leg, though they made amends the following week on home turf, thrashing the Swiss side 5-0.
Supporters did not have to wait long for another goal-fest, given seven days later Benfica thumped Scottish underdogs Hearts 6-1 at home.
Continental duties will be put on hold this weekend, as Benfica prepare to kick off the new Liga Portugal season – a campaign which they hope will mark the end of their three-year title drought.
There have been major changes in the Eagles’ squad this summer, with players such as Antonio Silva, Orkun Kokcu and Florentino leaving. To compensate, Benfica have splashed some cash themselves, bringing in such names as Jhon Duran, Jakub Kaminski and Heorhiy Sudakov.
When it comes to the visitors, Sunday’s game will mark their first competitive meeting with Benfica since 1989.
Academico de Viseu earned automatic promotion last season after finishing second in the second tier – seven points adrift of eventual league winners Maritimo.
While the club enjoyed an overall historic campaign last year, they will not want to replicate their slow start.
Last term the club managed just one win from their first seven games. Replicating such run in the top tier of Portuguese football could put early pressure on their already questionable survival odds.
Benfica vs. Academico Viseu form guide & betting tips
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Whispers predicts: Benfica 4-0 Academico Viseu
Benfica’s last two games at the Estadio da Luz saw them rattle the net 11 times, and we do not expect the Eagles to take their foot off the gas.
Kicking off the new domestic season in front of their home fans will come with expectations, and Silva certainly has enough quality in the squad to meet them.
Looking at the outright odds, there is really no point in backing the hosts in the outright market, given their 1/10 odds.
Instead, backing Benfica in the -2 handicap market at 3/5 makes a lot more sense – especially when you take a look at their recent home results.
Another tasty bet comes in the over 3.5 goals market, with the bookmakers offering odds of 11/10. This bet has landed in six of Benfica’s previous seven competitive outings.
For those looking at serious value, the bookies have priced a 4-0 Benfica victory at 7/1.
> Benfica -2 Handicap at 3/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 3.5 Goals at 11/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct Score 4-0 at 7/1 | Likelihood: Outsider