Gameweek 21 of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga season pits third-place Benfica against 10th-place Alverca at Estadio da Luz on Sunday evening.
Both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils last time out as the hosts were held to a goalless stalemate by Tondela, while the visitors played out a 1-1 draw against Estrela.
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Benfica vs Alverca prediction: Return to winning ways for As Aguias
Key stats
- Benfica are unbeaten in three outings since a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in their penultimate Champions League league-phase outing.
- The Lisbon giants are also the only team yet to taste defeat in the Portuguese top flight this season, although too many draws have hampered their title ambitions.
- Alverca have managed just one clean sheet from seven matches leading up to this weekend, while also conceding the opening goal on five occasions.
Correct score prediction: Benfica 3-1 Alverca
Back in front of their fans for the first time since that enthralling 4-2 triumph over Real Madrid, Benfica will be confident of a positive outing having last failed to win a home game in early December.
We fully fancy Jose Mourinho's men to carry the day without breaking too much sweat.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Benfica all the way
- HOME: 1/5 (1.20) – 83.3%
- DRAW: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- AWAY: 12/1 (13.00) – 7.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Off the back of five straight home wins by a combined score of 14-3, not many teams stand a chance of stopping Benfica on their turf, and this weekend's clash looks set to be business as usual for the hosts, who have been given a whopping 83.3% chance of emerging triumphant.
The Eagles have little margin for error if they are to keep the pressure on league leaders Porto, who are currently nine points clear of them at the summit.
On the other hand, Alverca head to the capital hoping to spring an upset and record what would be only their third away league win of the season from 10 attempts.
Custodio's men are seven points above relegation danger on their return to the Primeira Liga after a 22-year absence.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Sixth straight win on the cards for Benfica.
August's reverse fixture saw Benfica and Alverca renew hostilities for the first time since 2004, but the home side wasted no time continuing their already established dominance in this fixture with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Andreas Schjelderup and Amar Dedic.
That was a fifth consecutive victory for Benfica over Alverca, who have conceded at least two goals in each game during that run.
Portugal Primeira Liga 31/08/25
Alverca
Benfica
Benfica preview: Full second debut for Rafa Silva?
After coming off the bench in both of his first two outings for Benfica since returning to the club for a second spell, Rafa Silva will be pushing for a start.
On the injury front, Benfica are without the services of Alexander Bah and Nuno Felix due to knee injuries, while Dodi Lukebakio remains out with a broken ankle.
Richard Rios, Samuel Soares and Joao Veloso are also ruled out, but Henrique Araujo could return to action from a muscle problem this weekend.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl, Aursnes, Barreiro, Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup & Pavlidis
Benfica's last five matches:
- Tondela 0-0 Benfica (Primeira Liga)
- Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (Champions League)
- Benfica 4-0 Estrela (Primeira Liga)
- Juventus 2-0 Benfica (Champions League)
- Rio Ave 0-2 Benfica (Primeira Liga)
Alverca preview: Leo Chu still awaiting first outing
Leo Chu has endured an injury-hit spell in his debut campaign with Alverca as he awaits a first appearance since April.
The forward is joined by Stephane Diarra and Tomas Mendes on the visitors' treatment table.
Predicted lineup: Gomes (GK), Meupiyou, Gomez, Naves, Chissumba, Moreira, Gui, Touaizi, Nuozzi, Lima & Lincoln
Alverca's last five matches:
- Alverca 1-1 Estrela (Primeira Liga)
- Braga 5-0 Alverca (Primeira Liga)
- Alverca 2-1 Moreirense (Primeira Liga)
- Alverca 1-0 Famalicao (Primeira Liga)
- Estoril 4-1 Alverca (Primeira Liga)
Player to watch – Vangelis Pavlidis
Leading the scoring charts with 19 goals, Pavlidis has already equalled his Primeira Liga tally from last season in 14 fewer appearances.
Having scored in each of his last four home outings, Pavlidis represents Benfica's biggest attacking weapon this weekend, where he will aim to reach the 20-goal mark in league action for only the second time in his career.