Benfica will take on Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga this weekend with the hosts looking to ensure they don't fall further behind Sporting Lisbon after an early season wobble.
Benfica have picked up seven points from their first four matches but find themselves five points behind the champions. If they fall any further behind at this early stage, then the situation could soon get beyond them.
Santa Clara are currently above Benfica in the league table after picking up nine points from their first four matches. Can they continue their brilliant start here?
As part of our latest round of Primeira Liga betting tips, check out our Benfica vs Santa Clara prediction below.
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Benfica vs Santa Clara prediction: The hosts to kickstart their campaign
Key stats
- Benfica have won both of their home matches this season by a combined score of 4-0.
- Santa Clara are a newly promoted side and are yet to face any of the big three.
- Benfica have kept a clean sheet in both of their home matches so far this season.
Correct score prediction: Benfica 2-0 Santa Clara
There is no getting away from the fact that Santa Clara have made an excellent start to the season, particularly for a newly promoted team, but their results are slightly warped by their relatively easy fixture list. Benfica will have used the international break to reset and should now kick on and make their presence known in what could be a memorable title race.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Benfica go in as heavy favourites
- Home: 2/9 (1.22) – 81.8%
- Draw: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- Away: 9/1 (10.00) – 10%
Benfica were always going to be the favourites for their odds have likely lengthened in the wake of Santa Clara's great start to the season. Despite that, Ladbrokes still have them as heavy favourites and have priced them at 2/9 to get the three points. Meanwhile, a win for Santa Clara has been priced at 9/1 and a draw has been priced at 11/2.
Check out our free betting tips for today page for more football predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Benfica dominance
Benfica are Portugal's most decorated club and therefore have an impressive record against most teams in the country. This is no different here and they have won their last five matches against Santa Clara which doesn't bode well for the away team on Saturday. Santa Clara's last victory over Benfica came via a memorable 4-3 win in 2020.
Portugal Primeira Liga 27/05/23
Benfica
Santa Clara
Portugal Primeira Liga 21/01/23
Santa Clara
Benfica
Portugal Primeira Liga 12/02/22
Benfica
Santa Clara
Portugal Primeira Liga 11/09/21
Santa Clara
Benfica
Portugal Primeira Liga 26/04/21
Benfica
Santa Clara
Benfica preview: Finding their feet
There was significant change at Benfica over the summer and the loss of Joao Neves has certainly affected them in the middle of the park. The hope is that they have managed to resolve a few issues over the international break and that they are now ready to restart their season properly.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Fernandez, Barreiro, Florentino, Kokcu, Prestianni, Di Maria, Pavlidis
UEFA Champions League 02/10/24
W
Atletico Madrid
0
Benfica
4
Portugal Primeira Liga 28/09/24
W
Gil Vicente
1
Benfica
5
Portugal Primeira Liga 23/09/24
W
Boavista
0
Benfica
3
UEFA Champions League 19/09/24
W
Crvena Zvezda
1
Benfica
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 14/09/24
W
Santa Clara
1
Benfica
4
Santa Clara preview: Riding a wave of momentum
Sometimes, clubs need to go down to reinvent themselves and it appears that is the case of Santa Clara. For years, they survived the drop by the skin of their teeth but ultimately suffered relegation in 2023. Last season, they won the second division and have carried that momentum in to the start of the current campaign.
Predicted lineup: Batista (GK), Soares, Lima, Rocha, Venancio, Pereira, Ferreira, Firmino, Lopes, Safira, Silva
Portugal Primeira Liga 29/09/24
W
Boavista
0
Santa Clara
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 21/09/24
W
Estrela
0
Santa Clara
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 14/09/24
L
Benfica
4
Santa Clara
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 31/08/24
W
AVS
1
Santa Clara
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 24/08/24
W
Casa Pia
0
Santa Clara
2
Player to watch: Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis signed for Benfica this summer with a huge reputation following a brilliant campaign in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar. The Greek centre-forward hasn't started the current season in the same vein of form and has only managed to score one league goal in a Benfica shirt so far and will be keen to kick on after the international break.
