Looking to close the gap on the top two, Benfica welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes to Estadio da Luz for round 27 action on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s side are level on points with second-placed Sporting Lisbon, although their rivals have a game in hand, while the Eagles remain seven points behind leaders Porto.
Vitoria, meanwhile, are chasing a place in Europe but are losing ground. The visitors sit ninth in the table, 10 points behind fifth-placed Gil Vicente and 14 adrift of fourth-placed Braga, who also have a game to play.
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 free expert Primeira Liga predictions!
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Benfica vs Vitoria key stats
- Benfica have recorded over 6.5 corners in six of their last seven league matches
- Each of Benfica’s last six league games has produced over 2.5 goals
- Vitoria have lost their last four away matches
Benfica vs Vitoria preview: Eagles to assert dominance at home?
| Benfica | vs | Vitoria SC |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 9th |
| 62 | Points | 32 |
| 55 | Goals For | 29 |
| 17 | Goals Against | 39 |
| 12 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 8th |
| 2nd | Away Rank | 17th |
Benfica have seen their cup campaigns come to an end, leaving them fully focused on the league as they aim to mount a late title push.
The hosts come into this clash on the back of a comeback win over Arouca, where they showed character to turn the game around and secure maximum points. Another victory here would move them closer to the summit, even if only temporarily.
Benfica have both scored and conceded in five of their last six league matches.
Still unbeaten in the league this season, Benfica boast the longest active run without defeat in the division, stretching to 41 matches since last term. Their consistency, especially going forward, has been a key factor behind that run.
However, the hosts will have to deal with a few absentees, as Amar Dedic serves a suspension following his red card last time out, while Antonio Silva is also unavailable due to accumulated bookings.
Vitoria, meanwhile, continue to struggle for momentum, with a managerial change doing little to spark an immediate response, having fallen to a narrow defeat against Famalicao last weekend in what was Gil Moreira Lameiras’s first match in charge.
The Conquerors are now without a win in four matches, and their form has dipped noticeably since lifting the Taca da Liga earlier in the year.
Vitoria have lost eight of their last 10 league meetings with Benfica (D2), conceding at least three goals in seven of those defeats.
Vitoria’s away record is another concern, with four consecutive losses on the road suggesting this could be another difficult assignment.
Manager Lameiras can at least take some comfort from having an almost fully fit squad available, although Oscar Rivas remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
Benfica vs Vitoria form guide & betting tips
| Benfica | vs | Vitoria SC |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-D-W | League Form | W-L-D-L-L |
| 13 | Points | 4 |
| 2nd | Form Table | 15th |
| 11 | Goals For | 6 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 9 |
| W-L-W-D-W | Form (all comps) | W-L-D-L-L |
Whispers predicts: Benfica 3-1 Vitoria SC
Considering current form, attacking strength and their dominant record in this fixture, Benfica come into this contest as clear favourites.
While a straight home win at 1.27 offers little value, combining it with over 2.5 goals increases the appeal at 1.80 odds, while pairing a Benfica victory with both teams to score looks even more attractive at 3.00.
BTTS – yes on its own is also a solid option at 1.95, and backing it alongside over 2.5 goals provides a higher return at 2.30.
Meanwhile, Benfica to score at least three goals is priced at 2.20, which aligns well with a correct score prediction of 3-1 at 11.00 odds.
The corner market is also worth considering, with Benfica over 6.5 corners available at 1.90.
> Benfica to win and over 2.5 goals at 1.80 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - Yes at 1.95 | Likelihood: Probable
> Benfica over 6.5 corners at 1.90 | Likelihood: Probable
> Benfica to win and BTTS - Yes at 3.00 | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS -Yes and over 2.5 goals at 2.30 | Likelihood: Possible
> Benfica over 2.5 goals at 2.20 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score - 3-1 at 11.00 odds | Likelihood: Outsider