Moreirense will take on Benfica in the Primeira Liga on Friday, 30 August in a match that the visitors can ill afford to lose as the early pacesetters take charge in Portugal.
After losing their opening match of the season, Benfica have responded with back-to-back league victories but with Sporting Lisbon and Porto both on maximum points, they need to ensure they take all three points away with them on Friday.
The fixture will be a tricky one for the Eagles as Moreirense have won two of their three matches in the league so far.
As part of our latest round of Primeira Liga betting tips, check out our Moreirense vs Benfica prediction below.
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Moreirense vs Benfica prediction: A tough away fixture for the Eagles
Key stats
- Moreirense have won their last three home matches in the Primeira Liga.
- Benfica have lost the only away match they've played this season.
- Moreirense have scored at least once in all three of their league matches so far this season while Benfica have scored in two of their three.
Correct score prediction: Moreirense 1-1 Benfica
This is a tough match to predict in terms of a scoreline but a big win for Benfica should be ruled out. They looked terrible in their only other away match this season and Moreirense are a strong outfit, particularly at home. Both teams should have enough quality to get on the scoresheet but separating them could be tough.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Benfica go in as favourites
- Home: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- Draw: 17/5 (4.40) – 22.7%
- Away: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
The Moreirense vs Benfica odds suggest that our prediction of a close game could be wide of the mark. Ladbrokes have priced Moreirense as the rank outsiders at a price of 11/2 while a win for Benifca has been priced at 10/21. The draw, which we are effectively backing, has been priced at 17/5 – a brilliant value bet.
For more football predictions and value bets over the next 24 hours, check out our free betting tips for today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Plenty of draws
Although Benfica boast an impressive unbeaten record against Moreirense that stretches back ten matches, there have been plenty of draws between the two teams in recent years. Three of the last five matches have finished level and two of those were played in Minho. The last time Moreirense defeated Benfica came back in 2018.
Portugal Primeira Liga 14/04/24
Benfica
Moreirense
Portugal Primeira Liga 03/12/23
Moreirense
Benfica
Portugal League Cup 17/12/22
Moreirense
Benfica
Portugal Primeira Liga 15/01/22
Benfica
Moreirense
Portugal Primeira Liga 07/08/21
Moreirense
Benfica
Moreirense preview: Keeping up the good start
After finishing sixth last season, the pressure is on Moreirense to replicate or even better that this time around. They've started the season nicely with two wins from three matches and with some players already performing better than they did last season, the future looks bright.
Predicted lineup: Kewin (GK), Fabiano, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong, Ismael, Ofori, Madson, Tavares, Antonisse & Asue
Portugal Primeira Liga 30/08/24
D
Benfica
1
Moreirense
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 25/08/24
L
Braga
3
Moreirense
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 18/08/24
W
Arouca
1
Moreirense
3
Portugal Primeira Liga 11/08/24
W
SC Farense
1
Moreirense
2
Club Friendly List 03/08/24
D
Famalicao
0
Moreirense
0
Benfica preview: Playing catchup already
In a league like the Primeira Liga where three teams are so dominant, a loss early in the season is more damaging than in other leagues. Benfica's opening day defeat to Famalicao means they are now already chasing Porto and Sporting Lisbon so can't afford to lose any more ground here. The return of Angel di Maria is a welcome boost.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Carreras, Luis, Barreiro, Aursnes, Kokcu, Di Maria & Pavlidis
Portugal Primeira Liga 30/08/24
D
Moreirense
1
Benfica
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 24/08/24
W
Estrela
0
Benfica
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 17/08/24
W
Casa Pia
0
Benfica
3
Portugal Primeira Liga 11/08/24
L
Famalicao
2
Benfica
0
Elite Club Friendlies 02/08/24
L
Fulham
1
Benfica
0
Player to watch: Vangelis Pavlidis
Big things are expected of Vangelis Pavlidis this season after his summer move from AZ Alkmaar but it has been a little bit of a struggle for the big Greek so far. Pavlidis is off the mark, though, thanks to his goal against Casa Pia a fortnight ago but with Viktor Gyokores banging them in for Sporting, pressure is mounting on him to get up to speed.
Pavlidis scored 29 league goals in the Netherlands last season and it already looks like he will struggle to get close to that this season. The first target will be to simply become a consistent source of goals for his new club.
